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Polydora Bosc 1802
Type species: Polydora cornuta Bosc 1802
Diagnosis of Polydora : Spionid with prostomium rounded or incised, extending posteriorly as caruncle. Chaetiger 1 WITHOUT notochaetae. Chaetiger 5 modified with major spines accompanied by more slender 'companion' chaetae, few capillary notochaetae, or these absent. Bidentate hooded hooks with conspicuous angle between teeth, WITH constriction or manubrium on shaft; first appearing on chaetiger 7-8. Posterior notopodial spines present or absent. Branchiae absent from chaetiger 5, present thereafter (beginning 6-9) and continuing for variable number of segments. Pygidium disc-like with or without separate lobes or reduced to small lobes or cuffs. Gut WITHOUT gizzard-like structure.
Source: GBR modified after Blake (1996)
Remarks: Dipolydora is very close and may be artificial. Blake also created informal species groups within Polydora.
Go to Family Spionidae.
Data last edited 19/07/2004 (dd/mm/yy), and page last generated by G. Read, 9/08/2004 (dd/mm/yy)