Transcript Marine Annelids: the Polychaetes

Marine Annelids: the Polychaetes
• Almost all marine annelids are polychaetes
(class Polychaeta), which are also known as
“bristle worms” for their stiff and often sharp
bristles stemming from each of their repeated
segments
– Bristles replaced by gills in many species
– Planktonic larvae stage
Marine Annelids: the Polychaetes
• Many polychaetes live in temporary or
permanent tubes
– Singular or aggregations
• Tube-dwelling polychaetes
are suspension feeders,
using feathery tentacles to
trap and capture suspended
material
How about this heat?!!?
• One of the most remarkable
polychates is the Pompeii worm
• Found only at hydrothermal vents in the
Pacific Ocean
– Temperatures as high as 80°C (176°F)!
– “Fleece-like” covering of bacteria on their backs;
the worms secrete mucus to feed the bacteria and
in return, are protected by a degree of insulation
on their backs
Polychaetes are pretty!
Christmas Tree Worm
Free-living polychaete