OuiSi Nature · Card 168
Christmas Tree Worms
Spirobranchus giganteus
- Location
- Banco Chinchorro, Mexico
- Date
- May 18, 2013
Photograph byOctavio AburtoDescription
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.
Photo linkinstagram.com/p/BhKLC3ggBvX
Learn moreen.wikipedia.org
The photographer
Octavio Aburto
Professional photographer associated at the iLCP and a Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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