Christmas Tree Worm Anatomy

Christmas tree worms spirobranchus giganteus are christmas tree shaped serpulid tube dwelling worms with magnificent twin spirals of plumes used for feeding and respiration.

Christmas tree worm anatomy. Because it does not move outside its tube this worm does not have any specialized appendages for movement or swimming. The circular muscles are located outside of the longitudinal muscles to allow for peristalitic movement. These christmas tree structures are actually specialized mouth appendages.

Christmas tree worms come in a variety of bright colors. As it extends outwards through the tube the multicolored spirals create feeding structures and function as their respiratory system or gills. The worms are hermaphrodites with each individual possessing both testes and ovaries.

As they use both of these systems nephridia are used in excretion of waste. Image found on wikipedia search under polychaete. Each spiral is composed of feather like tentacles which are heavily ciliated.

The christmas tree worm is a colorful marine worm with beautiful spiraling plumes that resemble a fir tree. The adult lifespan can extend to up to 30 years nishi 1999. The common name for these worms is derived from their appearance not their habitat or diet.

These appendages trap prey and transport the food straight towards the worm s mouth. Many people misinterpreted this behavior as a boring process. The worms most distinct features are two crowns shaped like christmas trees.

The christmas tree worm utilizes a hemal and coelomic internal transport system. These animals can be a variety of colors including red orange yellow blue and white. After about three weeks the eggs hatch and the worms mature.