Johnston, 1865
Ragworms
Description:
Members of this family are perhaps more similar to each other than in any other. They are very typical errant polychaetes, having a long, slender body with very many similar segments. Prostomium with two antennae and two articulated palps.
Peristomium limited to lips.
First segment achaetous with four pairs of tentacular cirri on distinct cirrophores.
First two pairs of parapodia are uniramous, remaining parapodia biramous. All chaetae compound. The chaetae are divided on the basis of the socket at the end of the shaft. This may be symmetrical (homogomph) or asymmetrical (heterogomph). Dorsal and ventral cirri present.
Pygidium with one pair of cirri (Nereididae).
Pharynx eversible, with one pair of curved, chitinous jaws at its anterior end; there are usually small horny teeth, paragnaths, scattered over the surface of the proboscis. The paragnaths form various groups, which may be of use in identification.
Most nereids produce a tenuous mucous tube in which sand-grains become embedded. At maturity they usually become transformed into a pelagic epitoke, which shows sexual dimorphism.
For specimens with an everted pharynx, jump to the Picture key: Page 104: Nereididae
For specimens without an everted pharynx, jump to the Picture key: Page 438: Nereididae without everted pharynx
The following taxa of this family occur in the region:
Genus Ceratocephale
Subfamily Gymnonereidinae
Subfamily Nereidinae
Genus Nereis
Genus Perinereis
Genus Platynereis
Genus Websterinereis
Ceratocephale loveni
Nereis diversicolor
Nereis elitoralis
Nereis fucata
Nereis irrorata
Nereis longissima
Nereis pelagica
Nereis succinea
Nereis virens
Nereis zonata
Perinereis cultrifera
Platynereis dumerilii
Platynereis massiliensis
Websterinereis glauca