''Paraspadella'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
chaetognaths
The Chaetognatha or chaetognaths (meaning ''bristle-jaws'') are a phylum of predatory marine worms that are a major component of plankton worldwide. Commonly known as arrow worms, about 20% of the known Chaetognatha species are benthic, and ca ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Spadellidae
Spadellidae is a family of sagittoideans in the order Phragmophora. Spadellidae prey on plankton
Plankton are the diverse collection of organisms found in water (or air) that are unable to propel themselves against a current (or wind). Th ...
. ''Paraspadella'' was originally considered as ''
Spadella'' before a revision separated that genus into three genera: ''Spadella'', ''Paraspadella'', and ''Gephyrospadella'',
[ the last of which is now synonymised to ''Paraspadella''.][ The initial division was based on previous knowledge of three groups of ''Spadella'', in a similar manner in which '' Sagitta'' was divided into a family of genera. ''Paraspadella'' is differentiated from ''Spadella'' by the presence of disparate (digital) adhesive organs, present in the former to various degrees, but entirely absent in the latter.][
]
Species
*'' Paraspadella anops'' Bowman & Bieri, 1989[Bowman, T. & Bieri, R. (1989). ''Paraspadella anops'', new species, from Sagittarius Cave, Grand Bahama Island, the second troglobitic chaetognath. ''Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington'', 102(3), 586–589.]
*'' Paraspadella caecafea'' (von Salvini-Plawen, 1986)[
*'' Paraspadella gotoi'' Casanova, 1990
*'' Paraspadella johnstoni'' (Mawson, 1944)][Mawson, P. M. (1944). Some species of the chaetognath genus ''Spadella'' from New South Wales. ''Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia'', 68, 327–333.]
*'' Paraspadella legazpichessi'' (Alvariño, 1981)
*'' Paraspadella nana'' (Owre, 1963)[Owre, H. B. (1963). The genus ''Spadella'' (Chaetognatha) in the western North Atlantic Ocean with descriptions of two new species. ''Bulletin of Marine Science'', 13, 378–390.]
*'' Paraspadella pimukatharos'' (Alvariño, 1987)
*'' Paraspadella pulchella'' (Owre, 1963)[
*'' Paraspadella schizoptera'' (Conant, 1895)][Conant, F. S. (1895). Description of two new chaetognaths: ''Spadella schizoptera'' and ''Sagitta hispida''. ''Johns Hopkins University Circulars'', 14(119), 77–78.]
*'' Paraspadella sheardi'' (Mawson, 1944)[
]
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2054325
Chaetognatha