First Full Blow Parameter Check After Cycling

[zhenya]

That's a perfect picture, Ninong.

One thing I don't get. Dr.Shimek puts this in two different families...
I quote:
Family Spirorbidae: small calcareous tubes, tube arranged in spiral on aquarium rocks or wall; the coiled tube is less than one fourth of inch across. They are common hitchhikers into marine aquaria. The most common genus found in reef aquaria is likely Spirorbis. They reproduce well in aquaria and sometimes become very abundant.
Family Serpulidae: commonly known as "hard-tube" or "calcareous" tube feather-duster worms, these worms have calcareous tubes. The tubes are not in a spiral pattern, but elongated and linear. These may be quite large worms with the tubes being up to about an inch in diameter and over a foot long. Smaller individuals, however, are much more common.

[Ninong]

Gene,

The ones that I have never get larger than about 2 mm across. I'm sure Fossa & Nilsen were just saying what the maximum size is for a particular species. There are probably are large number of different species.

P.S. -- I have no idea why Shimek has them as two separate families. I guess I'll have to look up the taxonomy.

[Ninong]

OK, so far I'm only finding Family Serpulidae under Polychaeta. That would seem to indicate that the Spirorbidae are part of the Family Serpulidae. http://jarekski.tripod.com/1.htm#31

Now I'll do a search under Spirorbidae and see what pops up.

[Ninong]

I'm finding it both ways. I have found Family Spirobidae and I have found at least one site that says that Serpulidae with spiral tubes are called Spirobidae.

I have a feeling Shimek is probably right and that Spirobidae is a separate Family.

[zhenya]

Yeah, I got the same results pretty much after a quick search. Probably the best thing would be to email Dr.Ron and ask him to clarify what they are, exactly, toxonomically speaking.

[Ninong]

Yeah, I got the same results pretty much after a quick search. Probably the best thing would be to email Dr.Ron and ask him to clarify what they are, exactly, toxonomically speaking.

I don't need to email Shimek. I know exactly what they are already. And it was Fenner who claims they are part of the Serpulidae:

Family Serpulidae: Calcareous Tubeworms. Sometimes further divided into worms with spiral tubes (Spirorbidae) and straight (Serpulidae). Produce white, calcareous tubes, often with longitudinal ridges, thickenings, spines. Shape, size of cover (operculum) often useful in determining species. Includes genera: Serpula, Spirobranchus, Protula

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polychaetes.htm

Fenner is probably not exactly correct. Even though a very complete taxonomy site does not show Spirorbidae as a separate family, I have a feeling that they now are in their own separate family because I did find them listed that way on several other sites.

[Ninong]

Haha! The official ITIS registry says that Spirorbidae is "invalid -- junior synonym." http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/Sin...ch_value=68383

That would seem to indicate that they are part of Serpulidae. I think.

P.S. -- Hmmm... Maybe not. According to ITIS, the valid name is Aberrantidae as of 1987. Spirorbidae is now invalid and just a synonym for Aberrantidae: http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/Sin...h_value=555684

If you look at their references, it looks like the Polychaetes were reorganized again in 1997.

[zhenya]

Haha! The official ITIS registry says that Spirorbidae is "invalid -- junior synonym." http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/Sin...ch_value=68383

That would seem to indicate that they are part of Serpulidae. I think.

P.S. -- Hmmm... Maybe not. According to ITIS, the valid name is Aberrantidae as of 1987. Spirorbidae is now invalid and just a synonym for Aberrantidae: http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/Sin...h_value=555684

Hmmm, interesting. More reasons to email Ron and ask him about the Aberrantidae being valid Family name ans Spirorbidae just a synonym.

I did notice that they been putzin around with the Polychates taxonomy. I guess it doesn't really matter, I'm pretty sure that what Bubba has is those Spirorbis worms.

[Ninong]

Hmmm, interesting. More reasons to email Ron and ask him about the Aberrantidae being valid Family name ans Spirorbidae just a synonym.

Be sure to give him the appropriate ITIS links. I'm sure he'll come back and tell us that he taught those guys.

[zhenya]

Be sure to give him the appropriate ITIS links. I'm sure he'll come back and tell us that he taught those guys.

You bet! I saved the link so I can send it to him.

[BubbaWPB]

Hmmm... the pictures look like my white spots... and I think I'll just call 'em "some sorta worms" or something like that if anyone asks me what they are... Thanks for the info, guys!