Christmas Tree Worm Life Cycle

The eggs are fertilized in the water then develop into larvae that settle on coral heads and then burrow into the coral to form their burrows.

Christmas tree worm life cycle. Life cycle christmas tree worms do not mate but engage in external fertilization. Male and female worms release their sperm and eggs into the water column. The second phase begins as they morph into adult form.

As sedentary inhabitants of coral reefs christmas tree worms feed primarily by filter feeding. These animals are broadcast spawners meaning they shoot their genetic contribution into the. The colorful life span of christmas tree worms are distinctly dependant on their habitat.

The christmas tree shape shown in the image is the animal s radioles which can be up to about 1 1 2 inches in diameter. They reproduce by casting their eggs and sperm into the water. There are both male and female worms which produce their gametes within their abdominal segments.

When the worm retreats into its tube the opening is shut using an operculum which is further protected by sharp antler shaped spines. Each worm has two of these plumes which are used for feeding and respiration. They use their brightly colored radioles to filter microorganisms from the water which are then deposited straight into the worm s digestive tract.

While many invertebrates reproduce asexually there are actually male and female christmas tree worms. The larvae feed on microscopic plankton for a few days until they locate a stony coral head. Adults burrow a permanent tube in rocky porites and begin their adulthood lives.

There are both male and female christmas tree worms spirobranchus giganteus. When startled christmas tree worms rapidly retract into their burrows hiding from would be predators. In fact while the colorful crowns of these worms are visible most of their bodies are anchored in burrows that they bore into live coral.