Saccocirridae

Saccocirridae
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Annelida
Class:	Polychaeta
Order:	incertae sedis
Family:	Saccocirridae Czerniavsky, 1881
Genera[1]
Pharyngocirrus Di Domenico, Martínez, Lana & Worsaae, 2014 Saccocirrus Bobretzky, 1872

The Saccocirridae are small interstitial polychaetes common in coarse sand on reflective, surf beaches, usually within the zone of retention. Saccocirridae have a worldwide distribution and many more species likely remain to be described. These polychates are usually between 2 and 10 millimetres (0.08 and 0.39 in) in length and 500 μm wide. They have reduced parapodia and are considered a true interstitial species, incapable of burrowing through finer sediments.

Morphology

Based on Saccocirrus sonomacus from the Pacific Coast of the Americas, the prostomium supports a pair of grooved palps that have a primarily sensory purpose. A pair of eyes are also present. The peristomium is probably reduced to a circumoral ring. The pygidium is usually bilobed.

References