| The top ten coolest Polychaete Worms |
The Annelids are a group of animals most of you know best for the earthworms and leeches,
both belonging to the class Clitellata, but it is their sister class the Polychaeta which displays the
most extreme diversity and adaptation. Over 10,000 species of Polychaete have been
documented, nearly all of them found in brackish or salt-water environments. Unlike the
earthworms, Polychaetes can possess dozens of legs, claws, tentacles, antennae, functioning
eyes and complex mouthparts, an anatomy that has been modified into an insanely broad variety
of lifestyles. Some are beautiful, some are disturbing, all of them are cool as hell. IT'S A TOP
TEN LIST! YOU LOVE THOSE!
both belonging to the class Clitellata, but it is their sister class the Polychaeta which displays the
most extreme diversity and adaptation. Over 10,000 species of Polychaete have been
documented, nearly all of them found in brackish or salt-water environments. Unlike the
earthworms, Polychaetes can possess dozens of legs, claws, tentacles, antennae, functioning
eyes and complex mouthparts, an anatomy that has been modified into an insanely broad variety
of lifestyles. Some are beautiful, some are disturbing, all of them are cool as hell. IT'S A TOP
TEN LIST! YOU LOVE THOSE!
| #2: Hydrothermal Tube-Worms |
When volcanic activity deep beneath the Earth's crust forces superheated water up
through the sea floor, the result is a hydrothermal vent or "black smoker;" an underwater
geyser spewing clouds of boiling-hot, toxic minerals that would be instantly lethal to most
of Earth's organisms. Not so for certain species of giant tube-worm, which not only thrive
in this alien environment but have been known to reach nearly ten feet in length;
thousands of times larger than their filter-feeding cousins in shallower, more hospitable
waters.
Lacking a digestive system, these worms feed through a process known as
chemosynthesis, where bacteria in the animal's body feed off raw materials such as
carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen and methane, producing particles of organic
waste that provide the worm's cells with all the energy they need.
through the sea floor, the result is a hydrothermal vent or "black smoker;" an underwater
geyser spewing clouds of boiling-hot, toxic minerals that would be instantly lethal to most
of Earth's organisms. Not so for certain species of giant tube-worm, which not only thrive
in this alien environment but have been known to reach nearly ten feet in length;
thousands of times larger than their filter-feeding cousins in shallower, more hospitable
waters.
Lacking a digestive system, these worms feed through a process known as
chemosynthesis, where bacteria in the animal's body feed off raw materials such as
carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen and methane, producing particles of organic
waste that provide the worm's cells with all the energy they need.
| #1: Osedax worms |
As the largest single concentration of meat in the animal kingdom, the death of a whale is
one of the deep sea's most celebrated events. The titanic carcass can take months or
even years to completely decompose, and becomes a veritable cornucopia of new life as
thousands of animals flock to the free buffet - some of which have evolved to feed on
absolutely nothing else.
Stripped of most flesh by squirming hordes of hagfish and ghostly white crustacea, a fallen
leviathan's monolithic skeleton quickly comes alive with a tentacled bouqet of bizarre
organisms known to some researchers as "zombie bone worms." Structured more like a
plant than an animal, the female Osedax mucofloris - literally "bone-eating snot-flower" -
lacks a mouth or stomach, relying on a network of "roots" to tap into its only food source;
the fatty oils contained within whale bone. Like the thermal tube worms, it relies on unique
symbiotic bacteria to process this nourishment.
one of the deep sea's most celebrated events. The titanic carcass can take months or
even years to completely decompose, and becomes a veritable cornucopia of new life as
thousands of animals flock to the free buffet - some of which have evolved to feed on
absolutely nothing else.
Stripped of most flesh by squirming hordes of hagfish and ghostly white crustacea, a fallen
leviathan's monolithic skeleton quickly comes alive with a tentacled bouqet of bizarre
organisms known to some researchers as "zombie bone worms." Structured more like a
plant than an animal, the female Osedax mucofloris - literally "bone-eating snot-flower" -
lacks a mouth or stomach, relying on a network of "roots" to tap into its only food source;
the fatty oils contained within whale bone. Like the thermal tube worms, it relies on unique
symbiotic bacteria to process this nourishment.
| #10 - Tomopteris |
An inhabitant of the deep sea abyss, Tomopteris may be one of the most beautiful of
all aquatic worms, with a luminous, transparent body, flat as a piece of paper, that
allows it to spend its entire life gliding through the open water in a rippling, snake-like
motion. When attacked, it scatters thousands of luminous particles from its legs in an
attempt to confuse predators and cloak its escape; also the first known instance of a
marine animal producing yellow light. Its eggs develop within the "legs" lining its
body, and are released into the water by a similar motion.
all aquatic worms, with a luminous, transparent body, flat as a piece of paper, that
allows it to spend its entire life gliding through the open water in a rippling, snake-like
motion. When attacked, it scatters thousands of luminous particles from its legs in an
attempt to confuse predators and cloak its escape; also the first known instance of a
marine animal producing yellow light. Its eggs develop within the "legs" lining its
body, and are released into the water by a similar motion.
| #9 - The Sea Mouse |
Common in shallow, sandy waters, these cute little critters were given the family
name Aphroditidae after the Greek goddess of love, which sounds sweet and poetic,
but was actually because they were thought to resemble a woman's pubic area. This
is science! Don't complain to me!
Sea mice are predators of other soft-bodied invertebrates, and move with their head
buried in the sand to sniff out their next meal. To protect the rest of their body, they're
densely lined with sharp, crystalline bristles that filter sunlight into intense color
patterns, believed to function as a false toxicity warning. It's quite an elaborate bluff
on the worm's part; so elaborate, it could serve as a revolutionary model for fiber
optic technology. Each bristle is comprised of several million hexagonal cells or
"photonic crystals," the first such structures ever documented in the nature world and
more effective at manipulating light than any previous invention of man.
name Aphroditidae after the Greek goddess of love, which sounds sweet and poetic,
but was actually because they were thought to resemble a woman's pubic area. This
is science! Don't complain to me!
Sea mice are predators of other soft-bodied invertebrates, and move with their head
buried in the sand to sniff out their next meal. To protect the rest of their body, they're
densely lined with sharp, crystalline bristles that filter sunlight into intense color
patterns, believed to function as a false toxicity warning. It's quite an elaborate bluff
on the worm's part; so elaborate, it could serve as a revolutionary model for fiber
optic technology. Each bristle is comprised of several million hexagonal cells or
"photonic crystals," the first such structures ever documented in the nature world and
more effective at manipulating light than any previous invention of man.
| #8 - The Pig-Butt |
Just a little less elegant than our previous worms, Chaetopterus pugaporcinus
literally translates to "worm like a pig's rear," with segments so flattened and inflated
that it loses any semblance to a worm-like shape. About the size of a grape, it drifts
in the deep sea abyss and dangles a net of sticky mucus believed trap planktonic
food.
No pugaporcinus have been found with reproductive organs, implying that they may
represent a larval animal. They are similar in some ways to the larvae of certain
stationary, tube-building worms, but over ten times larger than the young of any other
species discovered. Whether they spend their entire lives as floating rumps or
metamorphose into something even weirder remains to be seen, but don't hold your
breath; other "mystery larvae" of the deep have held onto their secrets for centuries.
literally translates to "worm like a pig's rear," with segments so flattened and inflated
that it loses any semblance to a worm-like shape. About the size of a grape, it drifts
in the deep sea abyss and dangles a net of sticky mucus believed trap planktonic
food.
No pugaporcinus have been found with reproductive organs, implying that they may
represent a larval animal. They are similar in some ways to the larvae of certain
stationary, tube-building worms, but over ten times larger than the young of any other
species discovered. Whether they spend their entire lives as floating rumps or
metamorphose into something even weirder remains to be seen, but don't hold your
breath; other "mystery larvae" of the deep have held onto their secrets for centuries.
| Images by Karen Osbourne (c) 2006 MBARI |
| #7 - Syllid Sex-bombers |
Several worms of the order Syllidae spend their entire adult life buried deep in the
sand and mud of shallow seawater, feeding on tiny organisms well away from the
prying eyes of predators. Unfortunately, they can't very easily propagate the
species without leaving the safety of their burrow...or can they?
sand and mud of shallow seawater, feeding on tiny organisms well away from the
prying eyes of predators. Unfortunately, they can't very easily propagate the
species without leaving the safety of their burrow...or can they?
As they grow, these hermaphrodites store both sperm and eggs towards the
posterior end of their body, which eventually develops rows of specialized swimming
paddles, a rudimentary second head and even functional eyes. During the high tide
(marked by the full moon) this entire section of its body breaks off and swims away to
mingle with others of its kind. As they swarm, these reproductive agents or "stolons"
swell up and explode, releasing clouds of genetic material to mix in the water. Should
a stolon be consumed by a predator, the original worm remains safe at home to
repeat the process again and again.
posterior end of their body, which eventually develops rows of specialized swimming
paddles, a rudimentary second head and even functional eyes. During the high tide
(marked by the full moon) this entire section of its body breaks off and swims away to
mingle with others of its kind. As they swarm, these reproductive agents or "stolons"
swell up and explode, releasing clouds of genetic material to mix in the water. Should
a stolon be consumed by a predator, the original worm remains safe at home to
repeat the process again and again.
| Artwork of Autolytus prolifer |
| #6 - Histriobdellidae |
Among the tiniest of all Polychaeta, this peculiar group is so simplistic in form that it
was once considered its own separate phylum. Ranging from microscopic to
pinhead-sized, these worms both look and act remarkably like lice, infesting the
outer bodies of isopods, crayfish and other crustaceans which they feed upon with a
complex set of drilling jaws. A similar group of Polychaetes are so small that they live
in between grains of sand, where they feed on other microorganisms and detritus.
was once considered its own separate phylum. Ranging from microscopic to
pinhead-sized, these worms both look and act remarkably like lice, infesting the
outer bodies of isopods, crayfish and other crustaceans which they feed upon with a
complex set of drilling jaws. A similar group of Polychaetes are so small that they live
in between grains of sand, where they feed on other microorganisms and detritus.
| #5 - The Bobbit Worm |
The Tyrannosaurus rex of worms, Eunice aphroditois is a colorful, burrowing
predator known to reach between six and ten feet in length. Burying itself up to the
antennae, it launches at passing fish like H.P. Lovecraft's Jack-in-the-Box,
sometimes snipping its prey clean in half with its ferocious jaws.
The scientific name Eunice is derived from "Eunic," due to the female's habit of
severing the male genitalia during mating. This, combined with its body shape and
jaw structure, was damn near begging for the common name "Bobbit worm" in honor
of housewife Lorena Bobbitt, who caused a media frenzy in 1993 by slicing off her
husband's penis with scissors.
Bobbit worms themselves would make internet headlines in 2009 with the discovery
of "Barry," a four-foot specimen who nearly ruined an aquarium reef display as he
chewed his way through the live exhibit, ultimately earning a display of his own.
predator known to reach between six and ten feet in length. Burying itself up to the
antennae, it launches at passing fish like H.P. Lovecraft's Jack-in-the-Box,
sometimes snipping its prey clean in half with its ferocious jaws.
The scientific name Eunice is derived from "Eunic," due to the female's habit of
severing the male genitalia during mating. This, combined with its body shape and
jaw structure, was damn near begging for the common name "Bobbit worm" in honor
of housewife Lorena Bobbitt, who caused a media frenzy in 1993 by slicing off her
husband's penis with scissors.
Bobbit worms themselves would make internet headlines in 2009 with the discovery
of "Barry," a four-foot specimen who nearly ruined an aquarium reef display as he
chewed his way through the live exhibit, ultimately earning a display of his own.
Note: I found these photos on a message forum and could not find "Fat Fish"
anywhere. If you're the copyright holder of these gorgeous shots, please email me!
anywhere. If you're the copyright holder of these gorgeous shots, please email me!
| #4 - "Green Bomber" Swima Worms |
Worms of the Swima genus ripple their way through the abyss much like the
Tomopteris above, but employ a somewhat more unusual defensive lightshow;
described only recently in the late 2000's, several species are armed with
detachable, pod-like appendages that break off when the worm is disturbed, flaring
up with brilliant blue-green light to distract potential predators. Most seem to carry
around eight of these "decoy bombs" at any given time, dropping one to two
whenever they feel threatened.
Tomopteris above, but employ a somewhat more unusual defensive lightshow;
described only recently in the late 2000's, several species are armed with
detachable, pod-like appendages that break off when the worm is disturbed, flaring
up with brilliant blue-green light to distract potential predators. Most seem to carry
around eight of these "decoy bombs" at any given time, dropping one to two
whenever they feel threatened.
| #3 - Symbiotic Scale Worm |
Somewhere between a snail and a paperweight in agility, the keyhole limpet is easily
hunted down and preyed upon by one of the sea's most relentless killing machines, the
starfish. Easily, that is, if our limpet isn't packing heat...
hunted down and preyed upon by one of the sea's most relentless killing machines, the
starfish. Easily, that is, if our limpet isn't packing heat...
| Left: starfish tentacle. Right: scaleworm. Bottom: the limpet's belly. |
Certain tiny Polychaetes have taken to living almost their entire lives curled under the
rim of a keyhole limpet's shell, lying in ambush for their favorite snack - the soft,
gelatinous sucker-feet of sea stars. The worm gets food delivered right to its door, the
limpet lives to slither another day and the starfish has to explain to its starving wife and
kids that it went to pick up dinner and a worm chewed off its toes.
rim of a keyhole limpet's shell, lying in ambush for their favorite snack - the soft,
gelatinous sucker-feet of sea stars. The worm gets food delivered right to its door, the
limpet lives to slither another day and the starfish has to explain to its starving wife and
kids that it went to pick up dinner and a worm chewed off its toes.
When Osedax were first discovered as recently as 2002, biologists were perplexed by the
appearance of only female reproductive organs in every mature specimen, despite the
presence of male sperm and millions of fertile eggs. As it turned out, the "missing" male
worms were there all along, plentiful but microscopic, living inside the bodies of the
females. Continuously fertilized by her tiny inner harem, the lady snot-flower pumps
thousands of eggs into the surrounding water, to drift like dandelion seeds until another
colossal corpse appears on the sea floor.
appearance of only female reproductive organs in every mature specimen, despite the
presence of male sperm and millions of fertile eggs. As it turned out, the "missing" male
worms were there all along, plentiful but microscopic, living inside the bodies of the
females. Continuously fertilized by her tiny inner harem, the lady snot-flower pumps
thousands of eggs into the surrounding water, to drift like dandelion seeds until another
colossal corpse appears on the sea floor.