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Polychaeta taxon detailsAbarenicola Wells, 1959
129205 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:129205)
accepted
Genus
marine,
recent only
Wells, G. P. (1959). The genera of Arenicolidae (Polychaeta). <em>Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London.</em> 133(2): 301-314., available online at https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1959.tb05564.x [details]
Taxonomy Wells (1963: 129) believed that statocysts were useful as a taxonomic character in Abarenicola. He wrote that: "I believe...
Taxonomy Wells (1963: 129) believed that statocysts were useful as a taxonomic character in Abarenicola. He wrote that: "I believe that a taxonomically useful distinction can be drawn between two types of [Abarenicola] statocyst, as follows. (i) In certain forms, here separated as the two new species Abarenicola affinis and A. gilchristi, the statocyst contains irregularly-shaped liths which are obviously of foreign origin. Some of these may have a secreted coating but some, at least, are quite naked. In other forms, here included in Abarenicola assimilis, the statocyst, contains more-or-less rounded liths, each composed mainly or entirely of secreted substance. Only rarely can foreign bodies be identified inside these liths, and such foreign bodies are comparatively small." [details]
Read, G.; Fauchald, K. (Ed.) (2025). World Polychaeta Database. Abarenicola Wells, 1959. Accessed at: https://www.marinespecies.org/polychaeta/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=129205 on 2026-06-07
Date action by
original description
Wells, G. P. (1959). The genera of Arenicolidae (Polychaeta). <em>Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London.</em> 133(2): 301-314., available online at https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1959.tb05564.x [details]
taxonomy source Wells, G. P. 1963. The lugworms of the southern cold temperate zone (Arenicolidae, Polychaeta). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 140(1): 121-159., available online at https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1963.tb01858.x note: includes Wells' suggestion that statocysts could be used to distinguish two groups of Abarenicola, with (only in S Hemisphere forms) and without statocysts [details] Available for editors  [request]additional source Bellan, G. (2001). Polychaeta, <i>in</i>: Costello, M.J. <i>et al.</i> (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. <em>Collection Patrimoines Naturels.</em> 50: 214-231. (look up in IMIS) note: checklist listing [details] From editor or global species database
Diagnosis (Diagnosis of Wells, 1959 [with minor modification re neuropodial chaetal rows]) Arenicolidae with an achaetous tail. Prostomium non-retractile, in the form of a triangle with lateral extensions of its (anterior) base; with a shallow groove marking the attachment of the brain. Statocysts either present, with a tube to the exterior, or absent. Setigers (except the first two or three) subdivided into five annuli. Gills branched, the first (which may be reduced or absent) on setiger vii or viii. No ventral edges of the neuropodial chaetal rows approach close to the mid-ventral line. Oesophageal caeca more than one pair. Gular membrane very thin; septa1 pouches absent. Nephridia five or six pairs, the first opening on setiger iv or v. Dioecious ; gonads on the nephridia. [details]Taxonomy Wells (1963: 129) believed that statocysts were useful as a taxonomic character in Abarenicola. He wrote that: "I believe that a taxonomically useful distinction can be drawn between two types of [Abarenicola] statocyst, as follows. (i) In certain forms, here separated as the two new species Abarenicola affinis and A. gilchristi, the statocyst contains irregularly-shaped liths which are obviously of foreign origin. Some of these may have a secreted coating but some, at least, are quite naked. In other forms, here included in Abarenicola assimilis, the statocyst, contains more-or-less rounded liths, each composed mainly or entirely of secreted substance. Only rarely can foreign bodies be identified inside these liths, and such foreign bodies are comparatively small." [details] |
