Syllidae Explained

Syllidae, commonly known as the necklace worms,[1] 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] [3]

Syllid worms range in size from NaN2NaN2 to 14cm (06inches). 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.[4]

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.[5] A young Syllid was one of the first worms to be found with pollen from seagrass in its stomach, making it a possible pollinator.[6]

The proventricle, Syllid worm's most distinctive anatomical feature, allows the worm to feed by sucking due to its pumping action. It also plays a role in hormone production, and thus the worm's sexual development. The proventricle is composed of strirated muscle cells with the longest known sacromeres among animals.[7] The proventricle is usually visible through the body wall.[8]

Syllis ramosa was the first polychaete discovered to have a branching body plan.[9] Later, two species of Ramisyllis were discovered to have a branching body plan.

Subfamilies

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Necklace-worms -- KnowBC - the leading source of BC information . 2023-02-02 . www.knowbc.com.
  2. Web site: Syllidae . Marcelo V. . Fukuda . . 16 September 2017.
  3. Book: Lamb . Andy . Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest . Hanby . Bernard P. . . 2005 . 1-55017-361-8 . Canada . 133.
  4. Guide and keys for the identification of Syllidae (Annelida, Phyllodocida) from the British Isles (reported and expected species) . . 2015 . 488 . 1–29 . Guillermo . San Martín . Tim M. . Worsfold . 4389122 . 10.3897/zookeys.488.9061. 25878521 . free .
  5. Book: Sigvaldadottir, Elin. Mackie, Andrew S.Y.. Helgason, Gudmundur V. . Reish, Donald J. . Svavarsson, Jorundur . Steingrimsson, Sigmar A. . Gudmundsson, Gudmundur. Advances in Polychaete Research. 2013. Springer Science & Business Media . 978-94-017-0655-1 . 288.
  6. van Tussenbroek . Brigitta I. . Villamil . Nora . Márquez-Guzmán . Judith . Wong . Ricardo . Monroy-Velázquez . L. Verónica . Solis-Weiss . Vivianne . Experimental evidence of pollination in marine flowers by invertebrate fauna . Nature Communications . 29 September 2016 . 7 . 1 . 12980 . 10.1038/ncomms12980 . 27680661 . 5056424 . 2016NatCo...712980V . 1903911 . en . 2041-1723. free .
  7. Weidhase . Michael . Beckers . Patrick . Bleidorn . Christoph . Aguado . M. Teresa . 2016-10-04 . On the role of the proventricle region in reproduction and regeneration in Typosyllis antoni (Annelida: Syllidae) . BMC Evolutionary Biology . 16 . 1 . 196 . 10.1186/s12862-016-0770-5 . 1471-2148 . 5050598 . 27716025 . free .
  8. Web site: Syllidae: Brief Summary . 2023-02-02 . eol.org . en.
  9. News: Zoologger: the worm that looks like a tree . Marshall, Michael . New Scientist . 2 March 2012 . 28 September 2017.

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