Pseudobranchiomma longa

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Pseudobranchiomma longa
Featherduster worm9.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Subclass: Sedentaria
Order: Sabellida
Family: Sabellidae
Genus: Sabellastarte
Species:
S. longa
Binomial name
Sabellastarte longa
(Kinberg, 1866) [1]

Pseudobranchiomma longa is a species of marine polychaete worms in the family Sabellidae. [1] It is known as a feather-duster worm or a giant fanworm. [2]

Contents

Description

Feather-duster worms grow to up to 15 cm in total length. They are attractive fanworms with their heads modified for feeding. Two large spiral whorls in yellow, red, white or purple extend from a tube and retract rapidly if disturbed. [2]

Distribution

These animals are found off the southern African coast from the Cape Peninsula in South Africa to Mozambique, as well as off Madagascar. They are found intertidally to at least 200m underwater. [2]

Ecology

The tube is built from food particles too large to eat and is cemented together with mucus. [2]

Synonyms

The following species are synonyms of Pseudobranchiomma longa: [1]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabellidae</span> Family of annelid worms

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pseudobranchiomma longa (Kinberg, 1866)". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN   978-1-77007-772-0