Phylum Annelida
Enter the segmented world of the bristleworms, found from the ocean’s depths to the high tide line. Sedentary terrebellids live under rocks in tubes, with a spectacular floral array of tentacles coming from their heads, while errant nereids meander about the mud. There are scyllid polychaetes so small, they may only be seen by teasing apart the tissues of sponges.
Watch Phylum Annelida videos on youtube.com
Featherduster Emerges
AS-20 POLYCHAETE ASSORTMENT
To include unnamed terrebellid, nereid, and cirratulid, tube building, free living and encrusting polychaetes that live in sponges, corals, and tunicates. A veritable grab bag of worms.
Each: $93.50
A parchment worm (Chaetopterus variopedatus)
AN-400 PARCHMENT WORMS, Chaetopterus variopedatus
Lives in a U-shaped tube, which can be replaced by glass to observe the elaborate specialization of segments. The worm is brilliantly luminescent. A small commensal crab is usually found in the tube. Sporadically available. Size: 15-30 cm. tube length.
Each: $53.50
AN-410 PLUMED WORM, Diopatra cuprea
A plumed worm (Diopara cuprea) at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Aquarium.
This creature builds elaborate casings covered in algae and bits of marine debris to serve as camouflage.
A bizarre, plumed polychaete that decorates its tube with bits of shell, seaweed, hydroid, and tunicates. The worm itself is brilliantly irridescent in the sunlight and has well developed mouth parts. Size: 4-8 cm.
Each: $28.50
AN-415 SEA URCHIN WORMS, Podarke sp.
This species is found living around the mouths of our short spined sea urchins. Size: 5-1cm
Each: $17.50
Clam Worms (Nereis eiversicola)
AN-450 CLAM WORM, Nereis limbata, or other nereids
The representative polychaete with large jaws and well developed parapods. They are excellent for demonstration under the disecting scope. As active errant polychaetes they leave their muddy “false tubes” and prey upon other polychaetes. Their irridescent colors will delight students. Size: 4-8 cm.
Dozen: $56.50
Per 50: $133.50
A feather duster worm (Sabella melanostigma)
AN-480 FEATHER DUSTER WORM, Sabella melanostigma
An aquarium favorite, this handsome little polychaete lives in a brown tube drilled through dead shell and limestone rock. (See purple worms in photo, click to enlarge.) They quickly contract their maroon, light-sensitive and intricately branched tentacles at the approach of a shadow. If attacked by a fish, Sabella will autotomize its feather crown of tentacles and regenerate another. Size:4-6 cm.
Each: $14.00
AN-490 CALCAREOUS TUBED WORM, Hydroides crucigera
A small serpulid worm that secretes a twisted, white lime tube on pieces of shell, rock or seaweed. Two feathery lobes of respiratory tentacles expand from the end of the tube. Serpulids have been used traditionally to demonstrate regeneration. Size: 2-4 cm.
Per collection: $24.50
AN-491 ENCRUSTING SAND TUBED WORM, Saballaria
It sends its thick course grained tubes all over the shells of dead oysters, clams, etc. Inside is a fat pink worm with greatly recessed cephalic tentacles. Size: 4 cm.
Each: $10.50