Scalibregma inflatum

Scalibregma inflatum
S. inflatum under stereo microscope
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Family: Scalibregmatidae
Malmgren, 1867
Genus: Scalibregma
Rathke, 1843
Species: S. inflatum
Binomial name
Scalibregma inflatum
Rathke, 1843

Scalibregma inflatum (Rathke, 1843) also known as T headed worm, is a burrowing marine polychaete. It is a cosmopolitan species that can be found from the Arctic to Antarctica although most probably several species are confounded.[1]

Morphology

Up to 6 cm long with an orange body with 50-60 segments. Body is composed of a wide anterior part of segments 15-17 and a long slim posterior part. Prostomium rectangular shaped with two lateral horns making it appear as a T. Peristomium without chaetae. Parapodia small and oval at first increasing in size from segments 16-18. Four pairs of branching gills dorsally on 2-5 segment with chaetae.[2][3]

Ecology

Mainly found in muddy substrate, but can also be found in sand and between stones and shells. S. inflatum is a deposit feeder. During the spawning period S. inflatum undergoe epitoky.[2][3]

Systematics

Scalibregma inflatum is found within the Polychaete family Scalibregmatidae. The genus Scalibregma is composed of 14 different species.[4]

References

  1. Bakken, T., E. Oug & J.A. Kongsrud (2014). "Occurrence and distribution of Pseudoscalibregma and Scalibregma (Annelida, Scalibregmatidae) in the deep Nordic Seas, with the description of Scalibregma hanseni". Zootaxa. 3753 (2): 101–117. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3753.2.1.
  2. 1 2 Kirkegaard, J. B. (1996). "Havbørsteorme II". Danmarks Fauna 86: 241–242.
  3. 1 2 Hayward, P. J. & Ryland, J. S (1995). "Handbook of the Marine Fauna of North- West Europe". Oxford University Press: 224.
  4. WoRM. "http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=130980". External link in |title= (help)
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