Savigny, 1818
Fireworms
Description:
Body short or moderately elongated, flattened and tapering gradually at both ends (Amphinomidae).
Prostomium suboval or pentagonal, with three antennae and two similar palps, and a posterior caruncle (Amphinomidae-anterior end).
Peristomium limited to lips.
First segment completely fused in front of prostomium, with parapodia similar to those on other segments, without tentacular cirri.
Parapodia biramous. Notopodia with branched gills. All chaetae variously ornamented capillaries and spines, calcified and therefore very brittle. Aciculae present. Dorsal and ventral cirri present.
Pygidium without cirri.
Pharynx eversible (proboscis), without papillae or jaws.
After: Fauchald and Rouse, 1997 and George and Hartmann-Schröder, 1985.
For identification to species level, jump to the Picture key: Page 393: Amphinomidae
The following taxa of this family occur in the region:
Genus Hermodice
Genus Paramphinome
Genus Pareurythoe
Hermodice carunculata
Paramphinome jeffreysii
Pareurythoe borealis