14. Taxon Group: Sipuncula

This is part of the collection "DToL Taxon-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Marine Metazoa", lead by the Other Metazoa Working Group. The SOP collection contains guidance on how to process the various marine Metazoa species within the scope of the Darwin Tree of Life project. The guidance specifically refers to the tissue samples needed for DNA barcoding (which takes place at the Natural History Museum (NHM) and at the Marine Biological Association (MBA)) and outlines the dissected tissues required for whole genome sequencing, which takes place at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Every specimen is submitted for DNA barcoding first before potentially being sent to the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

Definition: Sipunculids, also known as peanut worms, are an unsegmented, marine, annelid worms. The body is divided into a bulbous trunk and a narrower, anterior section, called the "introvert", which can be retracted into the trunk. Although found in a range of habitats throughout marine environments, the majority of species live in shallow water habitats.

Including: Species/specimens larger than 5mm.

Excluding: Specimens smaller than 5mm.

See the Guidelines for important details and checklists.