Westheide, Wilfried. (1971). Apharyngtus punicus nov. gen. nov. spec., ein aberranter Archiannelide aus dem mesopsammal der tunesischen mittelmeerküste [Apharyngtus punicus nov. gen. nov. spec., an aberrant Archiannelid from the Mesopsammal of the Tunisian Coast of the Mediterranean.]. Mikrofauna des Meeresbodens. 6: 233-249.

52133

Westheide, Wilfried

1971

6: 233-249

Publication

World Polychaeta Database (WPolyDb)

Available for editors   [request]

A new genus of Archiannelids is described from Tunisian sandy beaches (Gulf of Tunis). The animals lack any body appendages, parapodia or setae. Prominent features are an elongated, indistinctly segmented body (length up to 940 μm, diameter between 70 and 85 μm), a bipartite prostomium with striking buccal segment and a pygidium that is differently shaped in males and females. There are ciliary rings on the ventral side of the prostomium. Gliding locomotion is effected by three ventral ciliated bands on the body trunk. Three distinct characters, in particular, separate Apharyngtus punicus from the other genera: the flattened body, very conspicious fine little "hairs" on the integument and the lack of any ventral muscular, pharyngeal apparatus. The species is microphagous; suspended particles are brought into the oesophagus only by the beating of cilia. The external organization and the digestive tract being similar as in Dinophilidae, the new species is placed into this family.

Mediterranean Sea in general

Systematics, Taxonomy

Annelida
Polychaeta

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