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Syllidae

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Syllidae
Syllis gracilis micrograph, showing the distinctive barrel-shaped proventricle
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Subclass: Errantia
Order: Phyllodocida
Suborder: Nereidiformia
Family: Syllidae
Grube 1850[1]
Synonyms

Levidoridae

Schizogamy in syllid polychaete

Syllidae, commonly known as the necklace worms,[2] is a family of small to medium-sized polychaete worms. Syllids are distinguished from other polychaetes by the presence of a muscular region of the anterior digestive tract known as the proventricle.[3][4]

Syllid worms range in size from 2–3 mm (0.08–0.12 in) to 14 centimetres (5.5 in). Most syllids are benthic organisms that transition to a pelagic epitoke for reproduction. They are found in all regions of the ocean, from the intertidal zone to the deep sea, and are especially abundant in shallow water.[3][5]

They are found in a range of habitats, moving actively on rock and sandy substrates, hiding in crevices and among seaweeds, and climbing on sponges, corals, hydrozoans, seagrasses and mangroves. They are generalist feeders.[6] A young Syllid was one of the first worms to be found with pollen from seagrass in its stomach, making it a possible pollinator.[7]

The proventricle, Syllid worm's most distinctive anatomical feature, allows the worm to feed by sucking due to its pumping action. It also plays a role in hormone production, and thus the worm's sexual development.[4] The proventricle is composed of strirated muscle cells with the longest known sacromeres among animals.[8] The proventricle is usually visible through the body wall.[9]

Syllis ramosa was the first polychaete discovered to have a branching body plan.[10] Later, two species of Ramisyllis were discovered to have a branching body plan.

Subfamilies

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In Thailand

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Syllid worms are commonly referred to in Thai as tua roi khā (Thai: ตัวร้อยขา, lit. 'hundred-legged creatures') or tua Songkran (ตัวสงกรานต์, Songkra creatures), as they are often reported in tap water supplies around the Songkran festival period (13–15 April), which coincides with Thailand's hot season. They are also sometimes called "rainbow creatures" due to their brightly colored, iridescent bodies resembling a rainbow. The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has explained that their presence may be associated with leaks or defects in sections of water distribution pipelines, allowing small aquatic organisms to enter the system.

Thai zoologist Boonsong Lekagul, a prominent figure in the country's zoological history, recorded an observation of a Songkran creature at a house near the Uruphong Bridge (now Uruphong Intersection) on Phetchaburi Road on 13 April 1945 at 08:00, during high tide conditions. The specimen was described as exhibiting iridescent coloration when submerged in water, measuring approximately 4.2 centimetres (1.7 in) in length, with numerous ventral parapodia resembling centipede-like legs. While swimming, its body appeared to twist in a helical motion, and upon handling, it readily fragmented into multiple segments.

Syllid worms found in Bangkok's water supply systems are generally classified within the family Syllidae, whereas specimens reported in Chachoengsao are often associated with the family Nereidae.[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ Gil, J., Musco, L. (2015). Read G, Fauchald K (eds.). "Syllidae Grube, 1850". World Polychaeta Database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Necklace-worms -- KnowBC - the leading source of BC information". www.knowbc.com. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  3. ^ a b Fukuda, Marcelo V. "Syllidae". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  4. ^ a b Lamb, Andy; Hanby, Bernard P. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest. Canada: Harbour Publishing. p. 133. ISBN 1-55017-361-8.
  5. ^ San Martín, Guillermo; Worsfold, Tim M. (2015). "Guide and keys for the identification of Syllidae (Annelida, Phyllodocida) from the British Isles (reported and expected species)". ZooKeys (488): 1–29. doi:10.3897/zookeys.488.9061. PMC 4389122. PMID 25878521.
  6. ^ Sigvaldadottir, Elin; Mackie, Andrew S.Y.; Helgason, Gudmundur V.; Reish, Donald J.; Svavarsson, Jorundur; Steingrimsson, Sigmar A.; Gudmundsson, Gudmundur (2013). Advances in Polychaete Research. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 288. ISBN 978-94-017-0655-1.
  7. ^ van Tussenbroek, Brigitta I.; Villamil, Nora; Márquez-Guzmán, Judith; Wong, Ricardo; Monroy-Velázquez, L. Verónica; Solis-Weiss, Vivianne (29 September 2016). "Experimental evidence of pollination in marine flowers by invertebrate fauna". Nature Communications. 7 (1) 12980. Bibcode:2016NatCo...712980V. doi:10.1038/ncomms12980. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 5056424. PMID 27680661. S2CID 1903911.
  8. ^ Weidhase, Michael; Beckers, Patrick; Bleidorn, Christoph; Aguado, M. Teresa (2016-10-04). "On the role of the proventricle region in reproduction and regeneration in Typosyllis antoni (Annelida: Syllidae)". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 16 (1): 196. doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0770-5. ISSN 1471-2148. PMC 5050598. PMID 27716025.
  9. ^ "Syllidae: Brief Summary". eol.org. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  10. ^ Marshall, Michael (2 March 2012). "Zoologger: the worm that looks like a tree". New Scientist. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  11. ^ หน้า 8 ต่อข่าวหน้า 1, ตัว 100 ขาไร้ซึ่งอันตราย. "เคียงข่าว". เดลินิวส์ฉบับที่ 23,768: วันอาทิตย์ที่ 9 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2557: แรม 3 ค่ำ เดือน 12 ปีมะเมีย (in Thai)
  12. ^ Pakorn, Jiraporn (2015-09-30). "ตัวร้อยขาปนมากับน้ำได้อย่างไร อันตรายหรือไม่". SciMath (in Thai). Retrieved 2026-04-23.


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