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Christmas Tree Worms
Spirobranchus giganteus

Location

Banco Chinchorro, Mexico

Date

18/05/2013

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.

Photo Link

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhKLC3ggBvX/

Learn More

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirobranchus_giganteus
Octavio Aburto
Professional photographer associated at the iLCP and a Associate Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Learn more about Octavio Aburto.

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