Description:-

Capitella capitata is a medium sized species with 9 thoracic segments and no visible peristomium or achaetous segments, thus segments 1-7 bear capillary setae only (Fig. 1). Two individuals had mixed fascicles in both the notopodia and neuropodia of setigers 6 and 7. Warren (1976) found that juvenile individuals of this species may exhibit mixed fascicles in anterior segments beginning as early as setiger 4. Mature males possess genital spines on setigers eight & nine while the females have hooded hooks on these last two thoracic segments. This setal arrangement is in agreement with the description for this species given by Warren (1991, Fig 1 A) in her review of the genus. The genital setae of the males is made up of three stout, posteriorly directed spines on setiger eight and a deeply embedded, thin spine projecting anteriorly from setiger nine. The hooded hooks of the abdominal segments have a main fang with many small teeth in several rows (Fig. 2 & 3) Warren (1991) indicated that C. capitata is cosmopolitan but with equatorial submergence; however, most of these specimens from Costa Rica were collected intertidally. Grassle and Grassle (1976) have shown that this species often exists as a complex of sibling species which are very difficult to differentiate so, until a simple means of recognition of these subspecies is established, local populations of this species are usually referred to as the C. capitata spp. complex. Most of the Costa Rican specimens of C. capitata were collected at Golfito, the only major port in Golfo Dulce. This species has often been regarded as indicative of organically polluted environments (see Pearson & Rosenberg (1978) for a discussion) and such pollution would be expected at this site due to the many ships and boats using this port (Spongberg & Davis 1998).

Threats:-

Remark:-

Habitat:-

Subtidal mud, intertidal mangroves and muddy sand.

Synonyms:-

Ancistria acuta Verrill, 1874
Capitella capitata belgica Czerniavsky, 1881
Capitella capitata danica Czerniavsky, 1881
Capitella capitata hebridarum Czerniavsky, 1881
Capitella capitata neapolitana Czerniavsky, 1881
Capitella capitata suchumica Czerniavsky, 1881
Capitella fabricii Blainville, 1828
Capitella prototypa Czerniavsky, 1881
Capitella similis Czerniavsky, 1881
Lombricus canalium Nardo, 1847
Lumbriconais marina Örsted, 1842
Lumbricus capitatus Fabricius, 1780
Lumbricus litoralis Johnston, 1827
Matla bengalensis Stephenson, 1908
Saenuris barbata Grube, 1860
Valla ciliata Johnston, 1865

References:-

WoRMS (2014). Capitella capitata (Fabricius, 1780). In: Read, G.;Fauchald, K. (Ed.) (2014) World Polychaeta database. Accessed through:World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=129876 on 2015­01­22

Dean, H.K. 2001. Rev. Biol. Trop. 49. Supl. 2: 69-84