Cuapetes
Cuapetes is a genus of marine polychaetes in the family Terebellidae. The genus is characterized by a segmented body with prominent tentacles surrounding the mouth. These tentacles are used for feeding, capturing small organisms from the surrounding water. They are typically found in marine environments, especially in soft sediments and seagrass beds.
Common Names
There are no commonly used English names for the genus Cuapetes. However, species within this genus are often referred to as "Terebellid worms" or "Tube worms" due to their resemblance to the better-known tube worms in the family Serpulidae.
Characteristics
Cuapetes species possess the following characteristics:
- Segmented body with a distinct head and tail
- Prominent tentacles surrounding the mouth, used for feeding
- Parapodia (fleshy appendages) on each segment
- Tube-dwelling lifestyle, often burrowing in soft sediments
- Deposit feeders, consuming sediment and organic matter
Environments
Cuapetes species are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- Intertidal zones
- Subtidal zones
- Continental shelves
- Seagrass beds
- Soft sediments
References
For further information about Cuapetes, you can consult these reliable sources: