Nephtyidae

Nephtyidae
Nephtyidae
Nephtys hombergii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Subclass: Palpata
Order: Phyllodocida
Family: Nephtyidae
genus

Aglaophamus
Dentinephtys
Inermonephtys
Micronephthys
Nephtys
Pellucidaria

Nephtyidae is a taxonomic family of worms. They are commonly referred to as catworms.

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.
Nephtyids are active predators, with a strong muscular proboscis, armed with two well developed jaws.

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

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