Ampharetidae

Ampharetidae
Ampharete acutifrons (Grube, 1860) figure 3
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Clade: Sedentaria
Order: Terebellida
Family: Ampharetidae
Malmgren, 1866
Subfamilies/genera

See text.

Ampharetidae are a family of terebellid "bristle worm" (class Polychaeta).[1][2] As such, they belong to the order Canalipalpata, one of the three main clades of polychaetes. They appear to be most closely related to the peculiar alvinellids (Alvinellidae) which inhabit the deep sea, and somewhat less closely to the well-known trumpet worms (Pectinariidae). These three appear to form one of the main clades of terebellids.[2]

Almost all are (like polychaetes in general) marine organisms; some inhabit brackish or freshwater though. Most are smallish deposit feeders which frequently live in small tubes they build from mud or similar substrate, or burrow in the sand.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference WoRMS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Rouse, Greg W. & Fauchald, Kristian (1998). "Recent views on the status, delineation and classification of the Annelida". American Zoologist. 38 (6): 953–964. doi:10.1093/icb/38.6.953.