OuiSi Nature card 168: Christmas Tree Worms. Photograph by Octavio Aburto The whole photograph behind card 168: Christmas Tree Worms. Photograph by Octavio Aburto

OuiSi Nature · Card 168

Christmas Tree Worms

Spirobranchus giganteus

Location
Banco Chinchorro, Mexico
Date
May 18, 2013
Photograph byOctavio Aburto

Description

The worms' most distinct features are two "crowns" shaped like Christmas trees. Each spiral is composed of feather-like tentacles called radioles, which are heavily ciliated and cause any prey trapped in them to be transported to the worm's mouth. One major difference between Christmas tree worms and other fan worms is that the latter do not have any specialized body structures to plug their tube holes when they withdraw into them.

Octavio Aburto

The photographer

Octavio Aburto

Professional photographer associated at the iLCP and a Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Learn more about Octavio Aburto

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OuiSi Nature card 168: Christmas Tree Worms. Photograph by Octavio Aburto The whole photograph behind card 168: Christmas Tree Worms. Photograph by Octavio Aburto

Christmas Tree Worms

Photograph by Octavio Aburto