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verification. (January 2012) |
Saccocirridae | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Annelida |
Class: | Polychaeta |
Order: | incertae sedis |
Family: |
Saccocirridae Czerniavsky, 1881 |
Genera [1] | |
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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.
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.