Edited and updated by Greg Rouse based on an original CD-ROM by Emiritus Prof. Barrie Jamieson, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Queensland

We will here survey the major groups of Polychaeta in the context of a classification developed by Rouse and Fauchald (1997).While reviewing the taxonomy of the group, we will also follow a modification of the arrangement of Dales (1961) methods of feeding in Polychaeta. The account will be largely restricted to selected taxa from the eastern coast of Australia. In the system of Rouse and Fauchald (1997), Polychaeta is divided into two groups, Palpata and Scolecida. The Palpata are in turn divided into Canalipalpata (with grooved palps) and Aciculata (with one or more rods, aciculae, supporting the parapodia). Scolecida have no further subdivisions above the level of families. Canalipalpata is further subdivided into Sabellida, Terebellida and Spionida. Aciculata contains Phyllodicida and Eunicida. These subdivisions conform in some ways to the orders with those names recognized by Dales (1961). However, the relationships between the groups of families which they represent are sometimes radically different from those suggested by Dales.