Halicryptus
| Halicryptus | |
|---|---|
| Halicryptus spinulosus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Priapulida |
| Class: | Halicryptomorpha |
| Order: | Halicryptomorphida |
| Family: | Halicryptidae |
| Genus: | Halicryptus von Siebold, 1849 |
Halicryptus is the sole genus of its class of priapulid worms, and has an important effect on the structure of soft-sediment communities.
This genus contains the following species:
- Halicryptus higginsi
- Halicryptus spinulosus - type species
Halicryptus spinulosus exhibits a wide distribution around the Arctic Ocean and can reach lengths of 4 cm as adults, while the distribution of Halicryptus higginsi appears to be restricted to the Beaufort Sea near Point Barrow, and can grow to about 40 cm, the largest known priapulids, even if 20 cm long adults are more common.