The Delicate Tube Worm (Filogranella elatensis), is a small, delicate marine worm belonging to the family Serpulidae. These worms are known for their intricate, tube-like structures, which serve as both shelter and a means of filtering food from the surrounding water. The Delicate Tube Worm is a fascinating example of adaptation and survival in the marine environment.
Description & Characteristics
The Delicate Tube Worm is characterized by its slender, translucent tube, typically measuring up to 2 cm in length. The worm itself is usually white or cream-colored, with a segmented body and a crown of delicate, feathery tentacles. These tentacles, known as radioles, are used for feeding and respiration. The tubes of Filogranella elatensis are often found attached to rocks, shells, or other hard surfaces in the marine environment.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Delicate Tube Worm is a common inhabitant of the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones, which represent the areas beneath the low tide mark and extend down to the shelf edge at approximately 200 meters. This means that Filogranella elatensis thrives in the neritic marine zone, which is the shallow water area above the continental shelf. They are often found in areas with moderate water flow, where they can efficiently filter food from the surrounding water.
Taxonomy
The species Filogranella elatensis belongs to the Class: Polychaeta, Order: Sabellida, and Family: Serpulidae. Polychaetes, also known as bristle worms, are a diverse group of segmented worms found in marine environments worldwide. Sabellida is an order within Polychaeta, comprising tube-dwelling worms with distinctive fan-shaped tentacles. Serpulidae, a family within Sabellida, are known for their calcareous tubes, which are often attached to surfaces.
Feeding
The Delicate Tube Worm is a suspension feeder, using its feathery tentacles to capture and filter food particles from the water column. Their diet includes a variety of food sources, such as brine shrimp nauplii, dustfood, lobster eggs, phytoplankton, plankton, and zooplankton. They also benefit from a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, microscopic algae that live within their tissues, providing them with additional sustenance through light. These worms are essential components of the marine food web, playing a vital role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer.
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