denise
06-02-2009, 08:11 PM
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/debbiebuck/featherdusterdebby.jpg
Photo by Debi Buck
Feather duster worms are tiny tube dwelling worms that live along coral reefs and wrecks. Each worm constructs its own tube using calcium, and although tubes are small (about the diameter of a soda straw, and an inch or two long), they can hide their entire body in it. The worm sticks its head out at the end of its tube, to feed and check out its environment.
A feather duster worms head has a bunch of feather like antennae, with a “mouth” in the middle. These feathery antennae have two functions: feeding and respiration. As water pushes through the antennae, they trap plankton from the water for the worm to eat. They also work like gills, eliminating carbon dioxide from the worm, and taking in oxygen from the water, allowing the worm to breathe.
When threatened, the worms pull their heads back down into their tube. They are very sensitive to water movements, and as a result they are not often photographed, or even seen, by divers. Their tubes are also extremely delicate, and well camouflaged, so it is very important to have a “no-touch” policy on coral reefs.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/debbiebuck/dusterwormsdebbie.JPG
Photo by Debi Buck
http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/gallery/files/1/mysteryoceancritter_1.jpg
Social feather duster, Bispira brunnea, Bahamas
The social feather duster worm grows in colonies. The are common all over the Caribbean. they grow on coral refs, and likes areas with some current.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/gallery/files/1/1/7/8/splitcrownfeatherdusteraracely_1.jpg
Split Crown Feather Duster, Anamobaea orstedii, Boynton Beach
Photo by Aracely Rojas
Photo by Debi Buck
Feather duster worms are tiny tube dwelling worms that live along coral reefs and wrecks. Each worm constructs its own tube using calcium, and although tubes are small (about the diameter of a soda straw, and an inch or two long), they can hide their entire body in it. The worm sticks its head out at the end of its tube, to feed and check out its environment.
A feather duster worms head has a bunch of feather like antennae, with a “mouth” in the middle. These feathery antennae have two functions: feeding and respiration. As water pushes through the antennae, they trap plankton from the water for the worm to eat. They also work like gills, eliminating carbon dioxide from the worm, and taking in oxygen from the water, allowing the worm to breathe.
When threatened, the worms pull their heads back down into their tube. They are very sensitive to water movements, and as a result they are not often photographed, or even seen, by divers. Their tubes are also extremely delicate, and well camouflaged, so it is very important to have a “no-touch” policy on coral reefs.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/debbiebuck/dusterwormsdebbie.JPG
Photo by Debi Buck
http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/gallery/files/1/mysteryoceancritter_1.jpg
Social feather duster, Bispira brunnea, Bahamas
The social feather duster worm grows in colonies. The are common all over the Caribbean. they grow on coral refs, and likes areas with some current.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/gallery/files/1/1/7/8/splitcrownfeatherdusteraracely_1.jpg
Split Crown Feather Duster, Anamobaea orstedii, Boynton Beach
Photo by Aracely Rojas