Halicryptus Explained
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]
This genus contains the following species:
- Halicryptus higginsi
- Halicryptus spinulosus - type species
Halicryptus spinulosus
Halicryptus 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
- Lemburg . C. . 10.1007/BF00397931 . Ultrastructure of the introvert and associated structures of the larvae of Halicryptus spinulosus (Priapulida) . Zoomorphology . 115 . 11–29 . 1995 . 42437901 .
Notes and References
- Shirley . T. C. . Storch . V. . Halicryptus higginsi n.sp. (Priapulida): A Giant New Species from Barrow, Alaska . 3227009 . Invertebrate Biology . 118 . 4 . 404–413 . 1999 . 10.2307/3227009.
- Aarnio . K. . Bonsdorff . E. . Norkko . A. . Role of Halicryptus spinulosus (Priapulida) in structuring meiofauna and settling macrofauna . 10.3354/meps163145 . Marine Ecology Progress Series . 163 . 145–153 . 1998 . 1998MEPS..163..145A . free .
- van der Land . Jaap . Systematics, zoogeography, and ecology of the Priapulida . Zoologische Verhandelingen . 1 January 1970 . 112 . 1 . 1–118 . en.
- Janssen . Ralf . Wennberg . Sofia A . Budd . Graham E . The hatching larva of the priapulid worm Halicryptus spinulosus . Frontiers in Zoology . 2009 . 6 . 1 . 8 . 10.1186/1742-9994-6-8. free . 2693540 .
