Nephtyidae is a family of polychaete worms.[1] They are commonly referred to as catworms.[2]

Quick Facts Scientific classification, Genera ...
Nephtyidae
Thumb
Nephtys hombergii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Subclass: Errantia
Order: Phyllodocida
Family: Nephtyidae
Genera
Close

Characteristics

Nephtyidae are pale, clearly segmented polychaetes with a small pentagonal prostomium with two pairs of small antennae. Their segments are little differentiated and have a rectangular cross-section.[3]
Nephtyids are active predators, with a strong muscular proboscis, armed with two well developed jaws.[4]

They can dig relatively fast through sandy sediments. They can also swim with sinuous movements.[5]

Thumb
Nepthyidae polychaetes, found off the Palmer Peninsula, Antarctica, 1962.

References

Wikiwand in your browser!

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.

Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.