General Feature

   Nereidae are commonly found in all water depths. Most Nereidae are morphologically similar, but they dwell in different habitats. Some species live on rocky shores, creep under stones or burrow in sandy mud.

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Whole segment

Prostomium

   2 pair of eyes present, most species have 2 antennae, but one genus has 1 antenna only. Palps are biarticulated. 2 or 4 pairs of tentacular cirri.

   Eversible pharynx equipped with a pair of jaws, often with accessory denticles or papillae.

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Prostomium

Proboscis

The proboscis is divided into 2 rings. They are basal and oral rings. The mouth opening at the oral ring equips with 2 toothed jaws.

nereidae6.jpg (16879 bytes)Proboscis (Dorsal)     

              

nereidae7.jpg (19217 bytes)Proboscis (Ventral)

                           

Parapodia and Setae

   Parapodia are mostly biramous. The first two pairs, however, are uniramous. Usually with complex flattened lobes and cirri.

   Setae composite or simple, spinigerous or falcigerous.

nereidae(S)1.jpg (28124 bytes)Parapodia biramous

                

nereidae(S)2.jpg (26125 bytes)Compound and

  spinigerous setae

                  

 

Amphinomidae Dorvilleidae Eunicidae Glyceridae Goniadidae Hesionidae Lumbrineridae Nephytidae Nereidae Onuphidae Phyllodocidae Pilargiidae Polynoidae Sigalionidae

Developed by: P. L. Chan     Last modified: 4 April,00