Spengelidae Willey 1899

Cameron, C. B. & Perez, M., 2012, Spengelidae (Hemichordata: Enteropneusta) from the Eastern Pacific including a new species, Schizocardium californicum, from California, Zootaxa 3569, pp. 79-88 : 80-81

Family Spengelidae Willey 1899

(Glandicipitidae Spengel 1901)

Diagnosis. The family is characterized by the occurrence in all its members, of an anterior vermiform process of the stomochord and a circular muscle fibre layer inside the longitudinal muscle fibre layer in the trunk. The skeletal cornua usually extend over the whole length of collar. Dorsal nerve roots arising from the collar nerve cord are rare. The lateral septum is absent. Hepatic caeca and synapticula may or may not be present. In those cases where the development has been studied, the life history has a typical tornaria larva.

Remarks. Of the four known genera included in this family— Schizocardium , Willeyia , Glandiceps and Spengelia , only one species, in the genus Schizocardium , occur in the Eastern Pacific. In addition, as a result of the present work, a second Schizocardium can now be added to this list.