Alitta plenidentata

, Alitta plenidentata, Alitta plenidentata

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf

Alitta plenidentata is a species of marine polychaete worm belonging to the family Nereididae. These worms are commonly found in coastal waters around the world, playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems as both predators and prey.

Description & Characteristics

Alitta plenidentata, like other polychaete worms, possesses a segmented body with a distinct head and tail. While the maximum size of this species is not readily available, polychaetes in general can range in size from a few millimeters to several meters. The body of Alitta plenidentata is typically elongated and cylindrical, featuring numerous bristle-like structures known as chaetae. These chaetae aid in locomotion and provide protection.

Habitat and Occurrence

Alitta plenidentata is a common inhabitant of intertidal and subtidal zones, primarily dwelling within sediments and soft-bottom habitats. This species is particularly well-adapted to environments with moderate to high levels of organic matter, often residing in areas with abundant food sources such as algae and other invertebrates. The distribution of Alitta plenidentata extends across various marine zones, including the neritic zone, which spans from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.

Taxonomy

Alitta plenidentata is classified within the phylum Annelida, a diverse group that also includes earthworms and leeches. The species belongs to the Class Polychaeta, a class characterized by segmented bodies and a distinct head with sensory appendages. Alitta plenidentata is further categorized within the Order Phyllodocida, which includes polychaetes with prominent parapodia, which are fleshy appendages that aid in movement. Finally, Alitta plenidentata is a member of the Family Nereididae, a group of polychaetes known for their predatory lifestyle and robust jaws.

Feeding

Alitta plenidentata is a carnivorous polychaete worm, feeding primarily on smaller invertebrates, including crustaceans and other worms. Their diet can also include decaying organic matter, making them important scavengers in their environment. To capture their prey, Alitta plenidentata utilizes their well-developed jaws, which are located within their mouthparts. This adaptation allows them to grasp and subdue prey effectively.

Associated Species

Image References

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