'keel-bearing spiral-gill'. AKA spiny tubeworm and toke pā. A bright blue Serpulid polychaete with dark blue feeding tentacles, endemic to New Zealand, where they build their calcareous tubes on...

Symbiosis - Recent work in Papua New Guinea documented the first evidence of symbiotic associations between tube-dwelling polychaetes (Spirobranchus corniculatus, Serpulidae) and cryptobenthic reef...

POLYCHAETA Phyllodocida - Nereididae Ragworms and Allies Phyllodocidae Eulalia microphylla New Zealand Paddle Worm Sabellida - Serpulidae Spirobranchus cariniferus Blue Tube Worm Serpulid...

The ocean is full of fascinating creatures, but few are as eye-catching as Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus). With their vibrant, spiral-shaped

The ocean is full of fascinating creatures, but few are as eye-catching as Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus). With their vibrant, spiral-shaped crowns, these small marine worms look like underwater holiday decorations. But beyond their beauty, they play an important role in coral reef ecosystems. Let’s dive into three fascinating facts about these mesmerizing reef dwellers. Christmas tree worms get their name from their striking, spiraled plumes, which resemble tiny Christmas trees swaying in the ocean.

In the tropics, a festive creature turns coral reefs into a year-round wonderland

The Christmas tree worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) is a vibrant marine worm residing in coral reefs. Its spiral plumes serve as gills and feeding structures, allowing it to filter food. Highly sensitive to movement, the worm quickly retracts into its coral tube when threatened, re-emerging once the environment stabilizes.

🎄Ceci n’est pas une décoration de Noël qui se serait perdue au fond de l’Océan… Aujourd’hui, plongeons à la découverte du “𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘦̈𝘭” ou “𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘦̈𝘭” (Spirobranchus giganteu...