Order Orbiniida
Family Paraonidae
Features |
| Body: |
long and slender;
with branchiae on maximally 15-20 segments, starting from one of setigers 4-10 |
| Prostomium: |
no appendage; some with a single antenna |
| Eye: |
absent or 2 |
| Antennae: |
absent or 1 |
| Cirri: |
absent |
| Palp: |
absent |
| Pharynx: |
non-eversible |
| Parapodium: |
biramous and lateral |
| Setea: |
simple including capillaries,
postbranchial hooks or modified setae |
| Anal cirri: |
2 or 3 |
| (Fauchald 1977) |
Biological Notes
Paraonids are tiny thread-like
worms. They are non-selective deposit feeders and burrow just below the
surface of sandy mud. Their gut is full of sand grains and the detritus (Day
1967).
Genera and Species Reported in Hong Kong
Aricidea eximia
Cirrophorus branchiatus
Paradoneis sp.
Paraonides lyra
Paraonis gracilis |
