Opheliidae is a family of small, annelid worms. Some of the genera, like Armandia, Ophelina and Polyophthalmus, have lost their circular muscles.[2] The family consist of the following genera:
- Ammotrypanella
- Antiobactrum
- Armandia
- Dindymenides
- Euzonus
- Kesun
- Lobochesis
- Ophelia
- Ophelina
- Polyophthalmus
- Pygophelia
- Tachytrypane
- Thoracophelia
- Travisia
| Opheliidae | |
|---|---|
| |
| Euzonus flabelligerus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
| Clade: | Sedentaria |
| Infraclass: | Scolecida |
| Family: | Opheliidae Malmgren, 1867 [1] |
The Opheliidae family of polychaete; marine annelid worms[3], play an essential role in marine ecosystems as “deposit feeders” that aid in the recycling of nutrients and sediment mixing in muddle and sandy habitats.[4] Due to their distinctive adaptations that include streamlined bodies and specialized muscles they can burrow in various marine environments. [5]
Worms in the Opheliidae family generally show characteristics of having a smooth body, a ventral (front) crease, few flaps on their sides and a pointed head to help them travel through mud and sand. Overall they specialize in burrowing and consuming sediment particles.[6]
References
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- ^ "Opheliidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- ^ Annelida, by Greg Rouse, Fredrik Pleijel, Ekin Tilic
- ^ Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2024, October 8). Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polychaete
- ^ Parapar, J., Martínez, A., & Moreira, J. (2021). On the Systematics and Biodiversity of the Opheliidae and Scalibregmatidae. Diversity (Basel), 13(2), 87-. https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020087
- ^ Law, C. J., Dorgan, K. M., & Rouse, G. W. (2014). Relating divergence in polychaete musculature to different burrowing behaviors: A study using opheliidae (Annelida). Journal of Morphology (1931), 275(5), 548–571. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.20237
- ^ Parapar, J., Martínez, A., & Moreira, J. (2021). On the Systematics and Biodiversity of the Opheliidae and Scalibregmatidae. Diversity (Basel), 13(2), 87-. https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020087
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