Family Cossuridae

Cossuridae (Click to enlarge)
Cossuridae (collected from Tathong Channel).  Lateral view of anterior region. Cossuridae (Click to enlarge)

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Cossuridae (Click to enlarge)
Cossuridae (collected from off Waglan Island).  Ventral view of anterior region. Cossuridae (Click to enlarge)

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Setae of Cossuridae (Click to enlarge)

Setae at anterior region of Cossuridae.

 Setae of Cossuridae (Click to enlarge)

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Order Cossurida
Family Cossuridae

Features
Body: thread-like and slender; numerous similar segments
Prostomium: conical; no appendage
Eye: absent
Antennae: absent
Cirri: absent
Palp: a single median palp on dorsal side of one anterior setiger
Pharynx: eversible
Parapodium: biramous
Setea: simple
Anal cirri: 3; long filiform
(Fauchald 1977)

Biological Notes
        Cossurids can be found in sand, deep slope and abyssal mud.   They are burrowers and feed on detritus with the aid of the pharynx.   They have a distinguishing single filamentous dorsal palp on an anterior segment.   The palp appears to be sensory and respiratory in function as it is well equipped with blood vessels (Fauchald 1977).

Genera and Species Reported in Hong Kong

Cossura sp.
Cossurella aciculata
Cossurella dimorpha

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