Spirorbis is a genus of very small (2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in)) polychaete worms, usually with a white coiled shell. Members of the genus live in the lower littoral and sublittoral zones of rocky shores. Spirorbis worms usually live attached to seaweeds, but some species live directly on rocks, shells or other hard substrates. Spirorbis was once thought to have a fossil record extending back into the Early Paleozoic, but now all pre-Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) spirorbins are known to be microconchids.[2][3] The earliest members of genus appeared in the Miocene, but Oligocene finds may also be possible.[1] The genus contains the following species:

Spirorbis
Temporal range: Miocene–Recent[1]
Spirorbis spirorbis (modern)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Clade: Sedentaria
Order: Sabellida
Family: Serpulidae
Genus: Spirorbis
Daudin, 1800
Species

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References

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  1. ^ a b Wiesner, E. (1962). "Spirorbis-Deckel aus dem Frankfurter Aquitan". Senckenbergiana Lethaea. 43: 367–374.
  2. ^ Vinn, Olev; Wilson, Mark A.; Jäger, Manfred; Kočí, Tomáš (2024-05-13). "The earliest true Spirorbinae from the late Bathonian and Callovian (Middle Jurassic) of France, Israel and Madagascar". PalZ. 98 (2): 223–244. Bibcode:2024PalZ...98..223V. doi:10.1007/s12542-023-00681-7. ISSN 1867-6812.
  3. ^ Taylor, P.D. & Vinn, O (2006). "Convergent morphology in small spiral worm tubes ("Spirorbis") and its palaeoenvironmental implications". Journal of the Geological Society. 163 (2): 225–228. Bibcode:2006JGSoc.163..225T. doi:10.1144/0016-764905-145. S2CID 128971706. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
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