Halicryptus is the sole genus of its class of priapulid worms, and grows to great size.[1] It has an important effect on the structure of soft-sediment communities.[2]
| Halicryptus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Halicryptus spinulosus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Priapulida |
| Class: | Halicryptomorpha |
| Order: | Halicryptomorphida |
| Family: | Halicryptidae |
| Genus: | Halicryptus von Siebold, 1849 |
This genus contains the following species:
- Halicryptus higginsi
- Halicryptus spinulosus - type species
Halicryptus spinulosus
editHalicryptus spinulosus is a species of priapulid worm found in marine environments. It is a macrobenthic priapulid living in disjunct subarctic brackish seas, including the White Sea, waters off Iceland, northern Siberia and Alaska, and in an outlying range in the Baltic Sea. Known for its distinctive spiny appearance, this worm plays a role in the benthic ecosystem, often inhabiting sandy or muddy substrates. Like other priapulids, it has a relatively simple body structure and is considered a predator, feeding on small invertebrates.[3] Its presence provides insights into the evolutionary history and ecological roles of priapulids, linking modern forms to ancient lineages.[4]
See also
edit- Lemburg, C. (1995). "Ultrastructure of the introvert and associated structures of the larvae of Halicryptus spinulosus (Priapulida)". Zoomorphology. 115: 11–29. doi:10.1007/BF00397931. S2CID 42437901.
References
edit- ^ Shirley, T. C.; Storch, V. (1999). "Halicryptus higginsi n.sp. (Priapulida): A Giant New Species from Barrow, Alaska". Invertebrate Biology. 118 (4): 404–413. doi:10.2307/3227009. JSTOR 3227009.
- ^ Aarnio, K.; Bonsdorff, E.; Norkko, A. (1998). "Role of Halicryptus spinulosus (Priapulida) in structuring meiofauna and settling macrofauna". Marine Ecology Progress Series. 163: 145–153. Bibcode:1998MEPS..163..145A. doi:10.3354/meps163145.
- ^ van der Land, Jaap (1 January 1970). "Systematics, zoogeography, and ecology of the Priapulida". Zoologische Verhandelingen. 112 (1): 1–118.
- ^ Janssen, Ralf; Wennberg, Sofia A; Budd, Graham E (2009). "The hatching larva of the priapulid worm Halicryptus spinulosus". Frontiers in Zoology. 6 (1): 8. doi:10.1186/1742-9994-6-8. PMC 2693540.
External links
edit
"Halicryptus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
_silhouette.svg){kind=small} | This protostome-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |