| Aphrodita | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Aphrodita aculeata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
| Subclass: | Errantia |
| Order: | Phyllodocida |
| Suborder: | Aphroditiformia |
| Family: | Aphroditidae |
| Genus: | Aphrodita Linnaeus, 1758 [1] |
| Type species | |
| Aphrodita aculeata Linnaeus, 1758 | |
| Species | |
See text | |
Aphrodita is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. [2]
Several members of the genus are known as "sea mice".
The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, the Ancient Greek goddess of love, said to be because of a resemblance to human female genitalia. [3] The English name may derive from the animal's similarity, when washed up on shore, to a bedraggled house mouse. [4]
Aphrodita adults generally fall within a size range of 7.5 to 15 centimetres (3.0 to 5.9 in), with some growing to 30 centimetres (12 in). The body is covered in a dense mat of parapodia and setae (hairlike structures). [2] The animal lacks eyes, feeling its way with two pairs of appendages close to the mouth. Several small, bristly, paddle-like appendages provide locomotion. Aphrodita are hermaphroditic, having functional reproductive organs of both sexes, with the eggs of one individual being fertilised by the sperm of another. [5]
The spines, or setae [2] on the back of the animal are a unique feature. Normally, these have a deep red sheen. But when light shines on them perpendicularly, they flush green and blue – a "remarkable example of photonic engineering by a living organism". This structural coloration is a defense mechanism, giving a warning signal to potential predators. The effect is produced by many hexagonal cylinders within the spines, which are said to perform much more efficiently than man-made optical fibres. [6]
Aphrodita are typically scavengers. [2] However, Aphrodita aculeata is an active predator, [7] feeding primarily on small crabs, hermit crabs, and other polychaete worms such as Pectinaria . [7]
Species recognized by the World Register of Marine Species: [1]
The genus Glycera is a group of oligochaetas commonly known as bloodworms. They are typically found on the bottom of shallow marine waters, and some species can grow up to 35 cm (14 in) in length.
Nereis is a genus of polychaete worms in the family Nereididae. It comprises many species, most of which are marine. Nereis possess setae and parapodia for locomotion and gas exchange. They may have two types of setae, which are found on the parapodia. Acicular setae provide support. Locomotor setae are for crawling, and are the bristles that are visible on the exterior of the Polychaeta. They are cylindrical in shape, found not only in sandy areas, and they are adapted to burrow. They often cling to seagrass (posidonia) or other grass on rocks and sometimes gather in large groups.
Aphrodita aculeata, the sea mouse, is a marine polychaete worm found in the North Atlantic, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. The sea mouse normally lies buried head-first in the sand. It has been found at depths of over 3,000 metres (9,800 ft).
Nereididae are a family of polychaete worms. It contains about 500 – mostly marine – species grouped into 42 genera. They may be commonly called ragworms or clam worms.
Nephtys is a genus of marine catworms. Some species are halotolerant to a degree in that they can survive in estuaries and estuarine lagoons down to a salinity of 20 psu.
Harmothoe is a genus of marine Polychaete worms belonging to the family Polynoidae. Species of Harmothoe are found world-wide to depths of at least 5,000 m but are more common in shallower water.
Ampharetinae are a subfamily of terebellid "bristle worm". They are the largest subfamily of the Ampharetidae, of which they contain the great majority of the described genera.
Acrocirridae is a family of polychaete worms. Acrocirrids are detritivores, catching falling particles with numerous long prostomial tentacles. There are eight known genera, and at least 21 described species and subspecies within the Acrocirridae. The acrocirrids are primarily benthic (seabed-dwelling) animals, but at least two genera appear to have evolved or adapted to a pelagic (free-swimming) habitat.
Phyllodoce is a genus of polychaete worms, which contains about 200 species. The prostomium bears eyes, two pairs of antennae and a pair of large retractile nuchal organs. The eversible proboscis is clearly divided into two parts.
Diopatra is a genus of polychaete worms in the family Onuphidae.
Amphinomidae, also known as the fireworms, bristle worms or sea mice, are a family of marine polychaetes, many species of which bear chaetae mineralized with carbonate. The best-known amphinomids are the fireworms, which can cause great pain if their toxin-coated chaetae are touched or trodden on. Their relationship to other polychaete groups is somewhat poorly resolved.
Lysidice is a genus of polychaete worms in the family Eunicidae.
Chloeia is a genus of marine polychaete worms.
Terebellides is a genus of polychaete worms in the family Trichobranchidae.
Ceratonereis is a genus of polychaete worms from the family Nereididae.
Eulalia is a genus of polychaete worms.
Syllidae, commonly known as the necklace worms, 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.
Lepidonotus is a genus of marine annelids in the family Polynoidae. The genus occurs globally and includes 80 species, usually found in shallow waters down to about 80 metres.
Euphrosine is a genus of polychaetes belonging to the family Euphrosinidae.
Lumbrineris is a genus of polychaetes belonging to the family Lumbrineridae.
| Authority control databases: National |
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