Chaetopteridae

Abstract: DNA sequence data from for histone H3 (34 species), U2 snRNA (34 species) and two segments (D1 and D9–10 expansion regions) of 28S rDNA (28 and 26 species, respectively) have been collected to investigate the relationships of polychaetes. Representatives of all of the major morphologically identified clades were used, as well as members of the Sipuncula, Echiura, Turbellaria, Clitellata and Siboglinidae (formerly the phyla Pogonophora and Vestimentifera). Maximum parsimony analyses of the separate data sets gave conflicting results and none conformed closely to previous results based on morphology. Instead each data set provided corroboration of a few of the morphological groupings, usually pairing, though inconsistently, members of the same family. Higher groupings proposed on morphological grounds were rarely recovered. Maximum parsimony analysis of the combined data, excluding areas of uncertain alignment, recovered some morphological groupings such as Cirratulidae, Terebellidae, scale worms and eunicimorphs, and did not significantly contradict others. However, some expected groupings were not recovered. Surprisingly, the fanworms (Sabellidae and Serpulidae) were not shown as sister taxa, and monophyly of Phyllodocida, a morphologically well corroborated clade, required four more steps than most parsimonious trees. Aciculata was not seen in our analyses, although it was the most strongly supported large clade in Rouse and Fauchald (1997, Cladistics and polychaetes. Zoologica Scripta 26, 138–204). Trees constrained to show Aciculata as monophyletic were 18 steps longer than the most parsimonious trees. If trees are rooted on sipunculans rather than the nematode, Aciculata is nearly recovered, being rendered paraphyletic by the inclusion of the sister-pair of Oweniidae and Chaetopteridae. As suggested by some recent morphological and molecular analyses, Siboglinidae and Clitellata may well have sister groups among polychaetes. The morphologically aberrant Sternaspidae are closest to members of Terebellida in the present analyses, supporting the placement of Rouse and Fauchald. Interesting results deserving further assessment concern the placement of Chaetopteridae, Oweniidae and Sipuncula.

Abstract: We describe a long-unnamed Chaetopterus Cuvier, 1830 species from southern California, using a combination of DNA barcoding and detailed morphological investigation employing high-resolution X-ray microtomography (micro-CT). Chaetopterus dewysee sp. nov. is not only one of the most dominant annelids in the benthic communities of the shallow end of the La Jolla submarine canyon, but also a well-established model for studying bioluminescence and has a published transcriptome. The description and naming of this southern Californian Chaetopterus is a step towards the much-needed revision of the group’s taxonomy and towards resolving the confusion over the ʻcosmopolitanʼ Chaetopterus variopedatus species complex. Micro-CT data showing details of both internal and external anatomy has been made freely available as the first annelid cybertype.

Abstract: Chaetopterus is a globally distributed genus of marine Annelida with a long history of taxonomic confusion. Here, we describe Chaetopterus bruneli sp. nov. from a depth of 350 m in the St. Lawrence Estuary, eastern Canada. The new species represents the northernmost record for Chaetopterus in the western Atlantic to date. The similar European species Chaetopterus norvegicus M. Sars, 1835 is resurrected from long-standing synonymy and redescribed from type material, and a lectotype is designated.

Abstract: 1. Tube-building and feeding were investigated in members of the chaetopterid genera, Telepsavus, Phyllochaetopterus, Ranzanides and Mesochaetopterus.2. With the exception of Chaetopterus, all members of the family construct a more or less straight tube oriented vertically in the substratum. The tube contains one or several transverse perforated partitions.3. The tube is secreted by the ventral surface of the anterior body region. The enlarged fourth notopodial setae are used to remove partitions or to tear open the side of the tube wall in order to construct a new section of tube.4. In Telepsavus and Phyllochaetopterus water is driven through the tube by the beating of ciliary membranelles. The membranelles line the ring-like openings formed by the foliaceous notopodia of the middle body region. In Ranzanides, Mesochaetopterus, and Chaetopterus water is pumped through the tube by the piston-like action of segments of the middle body region.5. A mucous bag is utilized for feeding in all chaetopterids. The...