Christmas Tree Worm Scientific Name
Age estimation of the christmas tree worm spirobranchus giganteus polychaeta serpulidae living buried in the coral skeleton from the coral growth band of the host coral.
Christmas tree worm scientific name. The common name for these worms is derived from their appearance not their habitat or diet. Some common names these corals are know for are finger coral jeweled coral christmas tree worm rock boulder coral plating jewel coral jeweled finger coral and porites coral. These christmas tree like crowns are composed of radioles or hair like appendages radiating from the worm s central spine.
Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia that bear many bristles called chaetae which are made of chitin. Christmas tree worm spirobranchus giganteus tube worms tropical reefs. Each worm has two brightly colored crowns that protrude from its tube like body.
Christmas tree worms are heterotrophic and with an obligate relationship with species of coral. These organisms have a indirect biphasic lifecycle. This means that there are two phases that complete the lifecycle.
Christmas tree worms whose scientific name is spirobranchus giganteus have two spiraled crowns on their back that each resemble a tiny colorful christmas tree. The polychaeta ˌpɒlɪˈkiːtə also known as the bristle worms or polychaetes are a paraphyletic class of annelid worms generally marine. You won t find spirobranchus giganteus also known as the christmas tree worm eating your fir tree this year.
These trees can be a single solid color but are also often multi toned with a second color gracing the outer tips of their spirals like garland. More than 10 000 species are described in this class. Names taxonomy related names synonyms common names.
Christmas tree worm scientific name. On coral in the caribbean and throughout the world s tropical oceans. Noaa national ocean service.