Sabellidae, or feather duster worms, are a family of marine polychaete characterized by protruding feathery Gill. Sabellids build tubes out of a tough, parchment-like exudate, strengthened with sand and bits of shell. Unlike the other sabellids, the genus Glomerula secretes a tube of calcium carbonate instead. Sabellidae can be found in subtidal habitats around the world. Their oldest fossils are known from the Early Jurassic.
Characteristics
Feather-duster worms have a crown of feeding appendages or
in two fan-shaped clusters projecting from their tubes when under water. Each radiole has paired side branches making a two-edged comb for filter feeding. Most species have a narrow collar below the head. The body segments are smooth and lack
Parapodium. The usually eight thoracic segments bear capillaries dorsally and hooked
(bristles) ventrally. The abdominal segments are similar, but with the position of the capillaries and chaetae reversed. The posterior few abdominal segments may form a spoon-shaped hollow on the ventral side. Size varies between tiny and over 10 cm (4 in) long. Some small species can bend over and extend their tentacles to the sea floor to collect
detritivore.
[ NIWA Guide to Polychaeta]
Genera
The following genera belong to the family:
[ World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)]
External links
