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Christmas Tree Worm
Spirobranchus giganteus
(Pallas, 1766)
St. Eustatius, Grand Canyon, 11-06-2015 (source: Marion Haarsma)
Code
Summary
Bristle worm. Saltwater. Tube Worms. The most well known of the feather
worms has two spiraled crowns of radioles. The hard, calcareous tube is
hidden in the coral. When disturbed, the animal retracts immediately
into its tube, closing it with a two-horned, circular lid, called the
operculum.
To be confused with
- Red-Spotted Horseshoe Worm Protula sp.
Characteristics
Size: Whole animal up to 10 cm, crowns up to 4 cm.
Color: The crowns is highly variable, although brown, dark brown, orange, white, and maroon or combinations of these are most common.
Shape: Two spiraled crowns of radioles. The hard, calcareous tube is hidden in the coral.
Habitat environment and ecology
Inhabits reefs. This feather worm occurs all over the reefs. Tubes usually encased in living coral.
Distribution range
BES-eilanden: St. Eustatius.
Author
[Marion Haarsma, march 2016]
Literature
- Humann, P., & DeLoach, N. (2002). Reef Creature Identification:
Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (p. 420). Jacksonville (FL): New World
Publications.
Commentaar
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