{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,29]],"date-time":"2026-07-29T18:57:25Z","timestamp":1785351445459,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,9]],"date-time":"2024-10-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1728432000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":8,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Journal of Morphology"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title><jats:p>Carnivorous polychaetes are known to bear diversified and often unique anatomical and behavioural adaptations for predation and defence. <jats:italic>Halla parthenopeia<\/jats:italic>, a species known to be a specialized predator of clams, thrives in the soft bottoms of the Mediterranean Sea, holding potential for polyculture and biotechnology due to the secretion of bioactive compounds. Our objective was to provide a comprehensive description of <jats:italic>H. parthenopeia<\/jats:italic>'s anatomy and microanatomy, shedding light on the relation between morphology and habitat, chemical defences, and feeding behaviour. The pharynx, housing maxillae and mandibles connected to an extensive mucus gland, occupies a considerable portion of the worm's length, reaching beyond the oesophagus. This unique gland is responsible for secreting the feeding mucus, which immobilizes and aids in the digestion of clams probably acting as a vehicle of bioactive compounds synthesized by specialized serous cells in the mouth. Moreover, <jats:italic>H. parthenopeia<\/jats:italic> combines behavioural tactics, such as burrowing, and anatomical defences to evade predators. Examination of its epidermis revealed a thick cuticle layer and abundant mucocytes secreting locomotion mucus, both of which save the worm from mechanical harm during movement. When it is preyed upon, the worm can release a substantial amount of Hallachrome, a toxic anthraquinone produced by specific cells in its distal region. This pigment, with its known antimicrobial properties, likely acts as a chemical shield in case of injury. The results suggest that the ability of <jats:italic>H. parthenopeia<\/jats:italic> to prey on bivalves and to provide mechanical protection plus defence against pathogens rely on its ability to secrete distinct types of mucus. The interplay between highly specialized microanatomical features and complex behaviours underscores its adaptation as a predator in marine benthic environments.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/jmor.21781","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,10]],"date-time":"2024-10-10T12:34:29Z","timestamp":1728563669000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Secretory Cells in <i>Halla parthenopeia<\/i> (Oenonidae): Potential Implications for the Feeding and Defence Strategies of a Carnivorous Burrowing Polychaete"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"285","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3209-4585","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anita","family":"Ferri","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia  Modena Modena Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9072-3522","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pedro M.","family":"Costa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology NOVA University Lisbon  Caparica Portugal"},{"name":"UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology NOVA University of Lisbon  Caparica Portugal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0493-1753","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Roberto","family":"Simonini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Life Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia  Modena Modena Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_10_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/b307612c"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1515\/bchm2.1960.321.1.276"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1086\/696291"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_5_1","volume-title":"The Handbook of Histopathological Practices in Aquatic Environments: Guide to Histology for Environmental Toxicology","author":"Costa P. 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