Specimen image via iDigBio · CC0
Spadella
Sign in to saveSpadella is a genus of small, transparent marine invertebrates belonging to the family Spadellidae within the phylum Chaetognatha, commonly known as arrow worms. Unlike most chaetognaths, which are pelagic (free-swimming in open water), species of Spadella are benthic, meaning they live near the seafloor and often attach to substrates in shallow marine environments.
Species
GENUS
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChaetognatha
- ClassSagittoidea
- OrderPhragmophora
- FamilySpadellidae
via GBIF
Museum specimens
- Specimen records
- 14
- With media
- 1
- Family
- Spadellidae
- Collections
- USNM, SIO, UM-RSMAS, UF, TCWC, NHMUK
- Recorded in
- United States, French Polynesia, Italy, Canada, Bahamas, Oman
~13 min read
Encyclopedic overview
25 sectionsContents
- Taxonomy & Classification
- Species Groups
- Morphology & Description
- Fins and Locomotion
- Head & Sensory Features
- Digestive System
- Differences from Other Chaetognaths
- Habitat & Distribution
- Geographic Range
- Preferred Habitats
- Depth Range
- Environmental Sensitivities
- Feeding & Ecology
- Feeding Behaviour
- Trophic Role in Marine Ecosystems
- Reproduction & Development
- Reproductive Strategy
- Egg Deposition & Embryonic Development
- Growth & Juvenile Development
- Evolutionary Significance & Phylogeny
- Phylogenetic Placement of Chaetognaths
- Hox Genes & Body Plan Evolution
- Significance of Benthic Lineages
- Recognized Species
- References
Spadella is a genus of small, transparent marine invertebrates belonging to the family Spadellidae within the phylum Chaetognatha, commonly known as arrow worms. Unlike most chaetognaths, which are pelagic (free-swimming in open water), species of Spadella are benthic, meaning they live near the seafloor and often attach to substrates in shallow marine environments.
The first recorded observation of a Spadella species was made by Busch in 1851, when Spadella cephaloptera was first reported. However, the genus itself was formally described by Langerhans in 1880, and currently includes several recognized species.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Spadella” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.