WoRMS

Deep-Sea taxon details

Polynoidae Kinberg, 1856

AphiaID

939 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:939)

Classification

Status

accepted

Rank

Family

Type taxon

Polynoe Lamarck, 1818

Parent

Aphroditiformia

Original name

Polynoidae Kinberg, 1856

Direct children (136)

Ordering

Alphabetically
By status

Children Display

direct main ranks all

Subfamily Admetellinae Uschakov, 1977
1. Genus Admetella McIntosh, 1885
2. Genus Bathyadmetella Pettibone, 1967
Subfamily Arctonoinae Hanley, 1989
1. Genus Adyte Saint-Joseph, 1899
2. Genus Australaugeneria Pettibone, 1969
3. Genus Bathynoe Ditlevsen, 1917
4. Genus Neohololepidella Pettibone, 1969
5. Genus Parabathynoe Pettibone, 1990
6. Genus Parahololepidella Pettibone, 1969
Subfamily Eulagiscinae Pettibone, 1997
1. Genus Bathymoorea Pettibone, 1967
2. Genus Eulagisca McIntosh, 1885
Subfamily Lepidastheniinae Pettibone, 1989
1. Genus Alentiana Hartman, 1942
2. Genus Benhamipolynoe Pettibone, 1970
3. Genus Lepidasthenia Malmgren, 1867
4. Genus Lepidofimbria Hartman, 1967
5. Genus Harmopsides Chamberlin, 1919 accepted as Lepidasthenia Malmgren, 1867 (subjective synonym)
6. Genus Nectochaeta Marenzeller, 1892 accepted as Lepidasthenia Malmgren, 1867 (subjective synonym [type moved elsewhere])
Subfamily Lepidonotinae Willey, 1902
1. Genus Allmaniella McIntosh, 1885
2. Genus Augenerilepidonotus Pettibone, 1995
3. Genus Dilepidonotus Hartman, 1967
4. Genus Euphionella Monro, 1936
5. Genus Halosydna Kinberg, 1856
6. Genus Hololepida Moore, 1905
7. Genus Lepidonotus Leach, 1816
8. Genus Sheila Monro, 1930
9. Genus Telodrieschia Kirkegaard, 1995
10. Genus Thormora Baird, 1865
Subfamily Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971
1. Genus Abyssarya Bonifácio & Menot, 2018
2. Genus Bathybahamas Pettibone, 1985
3. Genus Bathycanadia Levenstein, 1981
4. Genus Bathycatalina Pettibone, 1976
5. Genus Bathyedithia Pettibone, 1976
6. Genus Bathyeliasona Pettibone, 1976
7. Genus Bathyfauvelia Pettibone, 1976
8. Genus Bathykermadeca Pettibone, 1976
9. Genus Bathylevensteina Pettibone, 1976
10. Genus Bathymacella Pettibone, 1976
11. Genus Bathymariana Levenstein, 1978
12. Genus Bathymiranda Levenstein, 1981
13. Genus Bathypolaria Levenstein, 1981
14. Genus Bathytasmania Levenstein, 1982
15. Genus Bathyvitiazia Pettibone, 1976
16. Genus Branchiplicatus Pettibone, 1985
17. Genus Bruunilla Hartman, 1971
18. Genus Hodor Bonifácio & Menot, 2018
19. Tribe Lepidonotopodini Pettibone, 1983
  1. Genus Bathykurila Pettibone, 1976
  2. Genus Branchinotogluma Pettibone, 1985
  3. Genus Branchipolynoe Pettibone, 1984
  4. Genus Cladopolynoe Hiley & Rouse in Hiley, Koch & Rouse, 2024
  5. Genus Lepidonotopodium Pettibone, 1983
  6. Genus Levensteiniella Pettibone, 1985
  7. Genus Mamiwata Hiley & Rouse in Hiley, Koch & Rouse, 2024
  8. Genus Peinaleopolynoe Desbruyères & Laubier, 1988
  9. Genus Photinopolynoe Hiley & Rouse in Hiley, Koch & Rouse, 2024
  10. Genus Stratigos Hiley & Rouse in Hiley, Koch & Rouse, 2024
  11. Genus Themis Hiley & Rouse in Hiley, Koch & Rouse, 2024
  12. Genus Thermopolynoe Miura, 1994
20. Tribe Macellicephalini Hartmann-Schröder, 1971
  1. Genus Macellicephala McIntosh, 1885
21. Genus Macellicephaloides Uschakov, 1955
22. Genus Macelloides Uschakov, 1957
23. Genus Natopolynoe Pettibone, 1985
24. Genus Nu Bonifácio & Menot, 2018
25. Genus Polaruschakov Pettibone, 1976
26. Genus Vampiropolynoe Marcus & Hourdez, 2002
27. Genus Yodanoe Bonifácio & Menot, 2018
28. Genus Austropolaria Neal, Barnich, Wiklund & Glover, 2012 accepted as Bathypolaria Levenstein, 1981 (subjective synonym)
29. Genus Opisthotrochopodus Pettibone, 1985 accepted as Branchinotogluma Pettibone, 1985 (male morph subjective synonym)
Subfamily Polynoinae Kinberg, 1856
1. Genus Acanthicolepis McIntosh, 1900
2. Genus Antarctinoe Barnich, Fiege, Micaletto & Gambi, 2006
3. Genus Antinoe Kinberg, 1856
4. Genus Austrolaenilla Bergström, 1916
5. Genus Barnichia Salazar-Vallejo, 2024
6. Genus Barrukia Bergström, 1916
7. Genus Bathynotalia Levenstein, 1982
8. Genus Brychionoe Hanley & Burke, 1991
9. Genus Bylgides Chamberlin, 1919
10. Genus Ceuthonoe Wang, Zhou & Wang, 2021
11. Genus Enipo Malmgren, 1865
12. Genus Eucranta Malmgren, 1865
13. Genus Eunoe Malmgren, 1865
14. Genus Gattyana McIntosh, 1897
15. Genus Gorekia Bergström, 1916
16. Genus Gorgoniapolynoe Pettibone, 1991
17. Genus Harmothoe Kinberg, 1856
18. Genus Hermadion Kinberg, 1856
19. Genus Heteropolynoe Bidenkap, 1907
20. Genus Hololepidella Willey, 1905
21. Genus Intoshella Darboux, 1899
22. Genus Kermadecella Darboux, 1899
23. Genus Lagisca Malmgren, 1865
24. Genus Leucia Malmgren, 1867
25. Genus Malmgrenia McIntosh, 1874
26. Genus Malmgreniella Hartman, 1967
27. Genus Melaenis Malmgren, 1865
28. Genus Neobylgides Pettibone, 1993
29. Genus Neolagisca Barnich & Fiege, 2000
30. Genus Neopolynoe Loshamn, 1981
31. Genus Paralepidonotus Horst, 1915
32. Genus Polyeunoa McIntosh, 1885
33. Genus Polynoe Lamarck, 1818
34. Genus Robertianella McIntosh, 1885
35. Genus Scalisetosus McIntosh, 1885
36. Genus Subadyte Pettibone, 1969
37. Genus Tottonpolynoe Pettibone, 1991
38. Genus Antinoana Hartman & Fauchald, 1971 accepted as Bylgides Chamberlin, 1919 (subjective synonym)
39. Genus Antinoella Augener, 1928 accepted as Bylgides Chamberlin, 1919 (superseded subsequent rank of subjective synonym)
40. Genus Evarne Malmgren, 1865 accepted as Harmothoe Kinberg, 1856 (Homonym, replacement Evarnella a synonym)
41. Genus Laenilla Malmgren, 1865 accepted as Harmothoe Kinberg, 1856 (subjective synonym, in part at least in Harmothoe)
42. Genus Nemidia Malmgren, 1865 accepted as Enipo Malmgren, 1865 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Bathyedithinae Pettibone, 1976 accepted as Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Bathymacellinae Pettibone, 1976 accepted as Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Branchinotogluminae Pettibone, 1985 accepted as Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Branchiplicatinae Pettibone, 1985 accepted as Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Branchipolynoinae Pettibone, 1984 accepted as Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Macellicephaloidinae Pettibone, 1976 accepted as Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Macelloidinae Pettibone, 1976 accepted as Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Polaruschakovinae Pettibone, 1976 accepted as Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Vampiropolynoinae Marcus & Hourdez, 2002 accepted as Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 (subjective synonym)
Subfamily Polynoidae incertae sedis (temporary name)
1. Genus Bathyhololepidella Buzhinskaja, 1992
2. Genus Benhamisetosus Averincev, 1978
3. Genus Lepidogyra Hartman, 1967
4. Genus Parapolyeunoa Barnich, Gambi & Fiege, 2012
5. Genus Phyllantinoe McIntosh, 1876
6. Genus Phyllosheila Pettibone, 1961
7. Genus Polynoella McIntosh, 1885
8. Genus Herdmanella Darboux, 1899 (uncertain > nomen dubium)
9. Genus Sinantenna Hartmann-Schröder, 1974 (uncertain > taxon inquirendum)

Environment

marine, ~~brackish~~, ~~fresh~~, ~~terrestrial~~

Fossil range

recent only

Original description

Kinberg, J.G.H. (1856). Nya slägten och arter af Annelider, Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhhandlingar Stockholm, 12 (9-10), 381-388 [read 1855; printed 1856]., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15970133
page(s): 383 [as family Polynoina] [details]

Taxonomic citation

Read, G.; Fauchald, K. (Ed.) (2025). World Polychaeta Database. Polynoidae Kinberg, 1856. Accessed through: Glover, A.G.; Higgs, N.; Horton, T. (2025) World Register of Deep-Sea species (WoRDSS) at: https://www.marinespecies.org/deepsea/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=939 on 2025-07-07

Thematic species database citation

Glover, A.G.; Higgs, N.; Horton, T. (2025). World Register of Deep-Sea species (WoRDSS). Polynoidae Kinberg, 1856. Accessed at: https://marinespecies.org/deepsea/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=939 on 2025-07-07

Taxonomic edit history

Date

action

2004-12-21 15:54:05Z

created

db_admin

2007-01-18 14:44:44Z

changed

Barnich, Ruth

2008-03-26 11:36:43Z

changed

Fauchald, Kristian

2012-09-19 03:31:54Z

changed

Read, Geoffrey

2013-11-17 03:35:09Z

changed

Read, Geoffrey

2014-07-02 10:50:40Z

changed

Read, Geoffrey

2024-12-05 01:43:22Z

changed

Read, Geoffrey

[taxonomic tree] [list species]

original description Kinberg, J.G.H. (1856). Nya slägten och arter af Annelider, Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhhandlingar Stockholm, 12 (9-10), 381-388 [read 1855; printed 1856]., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15970133
page(s): 383 [as family Polynoina] [details]

context source (Hexacorallia) Fautin, Daphne G. (2013). Hexacorallians of the World. (look up in IMIS) [details]

additional source Barnich, Ruth; Fiege, Dieter. (2003). The Aphroditoidea (Annelida: Polychaeta) of the Mediterranean Sea. Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft. 559: 1-167., available online at http://www.schweizerbart.de/publications/detail/isbn/9783510613533/The-Aphroditoidea-Annelida-Polychaeta-of-the-Mediterranean-Sea [details] Available for editors

additional source Malmgren, A.J. (1867). Annulata Polychaeta Spetsbergiæ, Grœnlandiæ, Islandiæ et Scandinaviæ. Hactenus Cognita. Ex Officina Frenckelliana, Helsingforslæ. 127 pp. & XIV plates., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/13358
page(s): 4 [details]

additional source Fauchald, K. (1977). The polychaete worms, definitions and keys to the orders, families and genera. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Los Angeles, CA (USA), Science Series. 28:1-188., available online at http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/123110.pdf [details]

additional source Wehe, Thomas. (2006). Revision of the scale worms (Polychaeta:Aphroditoidea) occurring in the seas surrounding the Arabian Peninsula. Part I: Polynoidae. Fauna of Arabia. 22: 23–197. [details] Available for editors

identification resource Barnich, Ruth. (2011). Identification of scale worms in British and Irish waters. NMBAQC 2010 taxonomic workshop, Dove Marine Laboratory. 52 pp., available online at http://www.nmbaqcs.org/scheme-components/invertebrates/literature-and-taxonomic-keys/identification-of-scale-worms.aspx [details]

identification resource Chambers, S.J. & Muir, A.I. (1997). Polychaetes: British Chrysopetaloidea, Pisionoidea and Aphroditoidea. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series). 54: 1-202. (look up in IMIS)
page(s): 67 [details]

identification resource Pettibone, Marian H. 1969. Review of some species referred to Scalisetosus McIntosh (Polychaeta, Polynoidae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 82: 1-30., available online at http://hdl.handle.net/10088/3412 [details]

identification resource Barnich, R.; Gambi, M. C.; Fiege, D. (2012). Revision of the genus Polyeunoa McIntosh, 1885 (Polychaeta, Polynoidae). Zootaxa. 3523: 25-38., available online at http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/list/2012/3523.html [details] Available for editors

Present

Inaccurate

Introduced: alien

Containing type locality

From editor or global species database

Authority Malmgren (1867:4) may have been the first to use the "Polynoidae" spelling, but he cites Kinberg's (1856) family "Polynoina" which seems sufficient indication to credit Kinberg with the authorship of the family. [details]

Classification Remarkable for the number of small subfamilies which have been erected. The total is twenty one, or twenty two including the nominal subfamily (Polynoinae), and Hanley (1989) lists 17 to that date. As an example Pettibone (1985) had established subfamily Branchinotogluminae for a single new genus Branchinotogluma with three new species, and earlier (1976) she had created five new subfamilies (Macellicephaloidinae, Macelloidinae, Bathyedithinae, Polaruschakovinae, Bathymacellinae). She has created 12 subfamilies in Polynoidae. The latest subfamily is Uncopolynoinae Wehe, 2006, for one genus, with one species imperfectly known. The validity of all these subfamilies needs re-evaluation.

Polynoidae sub-families in chronological order (updated from Hanley, 1989)

Polynoinae Kinberg, 1856 [nominal]
Iphioninae Baird 1865
Lepidonotinae Willey 1902
Harmothoinae Willey 1902 [= Polynoinae Kinberg]
Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schroder 1971
Bathyedithinae Pettibone 1976
Polaruschakovinae Pettibone 1976
Macelloidinae Pettibone 1976
Macellicephaloidinae Pettibone 1976
Bathymacellinae Pettibone 1976
Admetellinae Uschakov 1977
Polyodontinae Muir 1982 [= family Acoetidae]
Gesiellinae Muir 1982
Lepidonotopodinae Pettibone 1983
Branchipolynoinae Pettibone 1984
Branchiplicatinae Pettibone 1985a
Branchinotogluminae Pettibone 1985b
Lepidastheniinae Pettibone 1989
Acholoinae Pettibone, 1996 [= Polynoinae Kinberg]
Eulagiscinae Pettibone, 1997
Vampiropolynoinae Marcus & Hourdez, 2002
Uncopolynoinae Wehe, 2006
[details]

Definitions