Home > Invertebrates > Segmented Worms > Spirobranchus cf. latiscapus

Created 5/14/2013

Family Serpulidae

JAPAN

Spirobranchus cf. latiscapus

Hachijojima, Japan, 20 feet

 

Yawatano, Izu, Japan, 35 feet

 

JAPANESE CHRISTMAS-TREE WORM

Tentative identification.  Common in massive corals.  The worm's body creates a tunnel and extends a pair of colorful crowns that function as gills and food gathering devices.  The crowns are rapidly retracted when disturbed and the hole is covered by a hard operculum.  Crown diameter of 1 inch.  Japan, New Zealand, Red Sea.