Polychaeta
Sign in to savePolychaeta () is a paraphyletic class of generally marine annelid worms, commonly called bristle worms or polychaetes (). Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia which bear many chitinous bristles called chaetae, hence their name.
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Polychaetes, commonly known as bristle worms, are marine annelid worms where each body segment features a pair of fleshy protrusions equipped with many chitinous bristles that give these creatures their distinctive appearance and name. These worms are found throughout the world's oceans and play important roles in marine ecosystems as they burrow in sediments, feed on organic matter, and serve as food for larger marine animals.
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11 sectionsContents
- Description
- Physiology
- Ecology
- Reproduction<span class="anchor" id="Epitoky"></span><span class="anchor" id="Epitoke"></span>
- Evolution
- Taxonomy and systematics
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
- Notes
- External links
Polychaeta () is a paraphyletic class of generally marine annelid worms, commonly called bristle worms or polychaetes (). Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia which bear many chitinous bristles called chaetae, hence their name.
More than 10,000 species have been described in this diverse and widespread class; in addition to inhabiting all of the world's oceans, polychaetes occur at all ocean depths, from planktonic species living near the surface, to a small undescribed species observed through ROV at the deepest region in the Earth's oceans, Challenger Deep. In addition, many species live on the abyssal plains, coral reefs, parasitically, and a few within fresh water.