Annelids, more commonly called segmented worms, are a group of organisms with a worm-like body that have no true legs or hard skeleton. They are referred to as the segmented worms because their bodies are divided into small little segments, like multiple rings merged together. Most of the marine annelids are represented by a group called 'polychaetes', which literally translates to 'many bristles'. Other marine worm groups include ribbon worms, fire worms, and flatworms. Polychaetes are a primarily marine group, with less than 2% of their species being found in other habitats. This section mainly showcases colourful and diverse polychaetes in forms one would never guess to be a worm's body!
Phalguni Ranjan
Joydeep Sarkar
Phalguni Ranjan
( Spirobranchus sp. )
They are found in shallow tropical waters and reside near coral reefs.
Christmas tree worms are easy identifiabe due to their two crowns resembling that one tree that comes out in December, as the name suggests! They can grow up to about 3.8 cm, feeding by catching particulate matter using their appendages, their two crowns can be in various colours such as blue, red, orange and yellow.
The christmas tree worms feed on zooplankton, phytoplankton and other organic matter which they filter through the water.
Evan Nazareth
Evan Nazareth
Phalguni Ranjan
( Sabellastarte magnifica )
Growing up to 30 cm in size, the magnificent feather duster worms inhabit sandy and rocky regions along coral reefs.
They have brown and and white spotted bands on their appendages resembling 'feathers' hence where their name roots from. The feather dusters use their slime-coated 'feathers' for respiration and to collect matter or nutrients for feeding which is then drawn to the mouth in the centre.
Their diet mainly consists of feeding on particulate matter and microscopic plankton.
Phalguni Ranjan
Phalguni Ranjan
( Eurythoe complanata )
Found all over the tropics at intertidal zones, they strive in warm shallow coastal waters.
The stunning orange fire worm have an average length of a 100 mm thus, making them quite long compared to the others in their family. They get their name from their hard to miss orange lined sides that their bristles or "chaetae" stem from.You can find them hiding under crevices, coming out mainly when food is present. Like the rest of the fire worms, they are capable of causing stings with their bristles due to a toxin that coats them. So be careful not to step on them!
Their diet consists of feeding on "carrion" or dead animal tissue.
Phalguni Ranjan
( Pherecardia striata )
Found on coral reefs or under rocks at depths between 0-20m, this fire worm comes out at night to feed.
Growing up to about 20 cm and resembling caterpillars, these species have bristles or "chaetae" on the sides of their body. To add to this, you might want to be a bit careful when coming close to these worms as their 'chaetae' are coated with toxins which can cause a highly irritative burning sensation if touched or stepped on, living up to their name!
Their diet mainly consists of feeding on 'carrion' or flesh from dead organisms on the ocean floor, they are also occasionally seen feeding on starfish.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Chloeia flava )
Found in sandy and rubble area in and around coral reefs.
The golden fireworm has a long body which can grow up to a maximum length of about 10 cm, they are flat and have long hairy bristles along its sides. They are coloured reddish to light brown with a light colour band in the middle. The body is split into segments with each segment having a circular coloured marking in the middle. They have white spines that are sharp and venomous. Do be careful not to touch one of these fiery worms!
They are carnivores and feed on coral polyps, sea anemones and tunicates.