Glyceridae
Appearance
(Redirected from Glycerid)
Glyceridae | |
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Glycera alba with everted proboscis | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Annelida |
Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
Subclass: | Errantia |
Order: | Phyllodocida |
Suborder: | Glyceriformia |
Family: | Glyceridae Grube, 1850 |
Genera | |
Glyceridae is a family of polychaete worms.[1] They are commonly referred to as beak-thrower worms or bloodworms. They are bright red, segmented, aquatic worms. The proboscis worm Glycera is sometimes called bloodworm.[relevant?] The Glyceridae are epi- and infaunal polychaetes that prey upon small invertebrates. They are errant burrowers that build galleries of interconnected tubes to aid in catching their prey.
Characteristics
[edit]- Pointy snout used for burrowing in sediment
- No septa in anterior part of bodies
- Rely on peristalsis to move
- Explosively evert pharynx into sediment, anchor position with prostomium and pull body forward.
- Eversible pharynx also used in prey capture: 4 poisonous fangs
References
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