Syllidae

Syllidae is a family of small to medium-sized polychaete worms. Syllids are distinguished from other polychaetes by the presence of a muscular region of the anterior digestive tract known as the proventricle.[2]

Syllidae
Syllis gracilis micrograph, showing the distinctive barrel-shaped proventricle
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Order: Phyllodocida
Family: Syllidae
Grube 1850[1]
Schizogamy in syllid polychaete

Syllid worms range in size from 2–3 mm (0.08–0.12 in) to 14 centimetres (5.5 in). Most syllids are benthic organisms that transition to a pelagic epitoke for reproduction. They are found in all regions of the ocean, from the intertidal zone to the deep sea, and are especially abundant in shallow water.[2][3]

They are found in a range of habitats, moving actively on rock and sandy substrates, hiding in crevices and among seaweeds, and climbing on sponges, corals, hydrozoans, seagrasses and mangroves. They are generalist feeders.[4]

One species in the family, Syllis ramosa, was the first polychaete discovered to have a branching body plan.[5]

Subfamilies
  • Anoplosyllinae
  • Autolytinae
  • Eusyllinae
  • Exogoninae
  • Syllinae
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See also

References
  1. Gil, J., Musco, L. (2015). Read G, Fauchald K (eds.). "Syllidae Grube, 1850". World Polychaeta database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  2. Fukuda, Marcelo V. "Syllidae". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  3. San Martín, Guillermo; Worsfold, Tim M. (2015). "Guide and keys for the identification of Syllidae (Annelida, Phyllodocida) from the British Isles (reported and expected species)". ZooKeys (488). pp. 1–29. doi:10.3897/zookeys.488.9061. PMC 4389122.
  4. Sigvaldadottir, Elin; Mackie, Andrew S.Y.; Helgason, Gudmundur V.; Reish, Donald J.; Svavarsson, Jorundur; Steingrimsson, Sigmar A.; Gudmundsson, Gudmundur (2013). Advances in Polychaete Research. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 288. ISBN 978-94-017-0655-1.
  5. Marshall, Michael (2 March 2012). "Zoologger: the worm that looks like a tree". New Scientist. Retrieved 28 September 2017.


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