Uncopolynoe is a genus of marine polychaete worms belonging to the family Polynoidae, the scaleworms. Uncopolynoe contains a single species, Uncopolynoe corallicola which is known from the Red Sea at a depth of 1 m.[2]

Uncopolynoe
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Subclass: Errantia
Order: Phyllodocida
Family: Polynoidae
Genus: Uncopolynoe
Species:
U. corallicola
Binomial name
Uncopolynoe corallicola
Hartmann-Schröder 1960[1]

Description

edit

Uncopolynoe corallicola is a short-bodied scale worm with 40–45 segments and 12 pairs of elytra. The prostomium is weakly bilobed anteriorly and lacks cephalic peaks. The lateral antennae lack basal ceratophores and arise directly from the anterior margin of the prostomium. The median antenna has a ceratophore which is located between and slightly beneath the lateral antennae. Notopodia are absent and neuropodia are inconspicuous after segment 4. Notochaetae are absent, but there are three types of neurochaetae: stout curved hooks, curved club-shaped forms and bidentate chaetae.[2][3]

Biology and Ecology

edit

All known specimens of Uncopolynoe have been collected from alcyonarian corals and most likely have a commensal relationship with them.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ Read, G.; Fauchald, K. (Ed.) (2020). World Polychaeta database. Uncopolynoe corallicola Hartmann-Schröder, 1960. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=332663
  2. ^ a b Hartmann-Schröder, G. 1960. Polychaeten aus dem Roten Meer. Kieler Meeresforschungen, 16(1): 69-125., available online at http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001489/148944mo.pdf
  3. ^ Fauchald, K.; Wilson, R.S. (2003). "Polynoidae (Polychaeta)-A DELTA database of genera, and Australian species". In R.S. Wilson; P.A. Hutchings; C. J. Glasby (eds.). Polychaetes: An Interactive Identification Guide. Melbourne: CSIRO Publishing.
  4. ^ Wehe, Thomas. (2006). Revision of the scale worms (Polychaeta:Aphroditoidea) occurring in the seas surrounding the Arabian Peninsula. Part I: Polynoidae. Fauna of Arabia. 22: 23–197.