Kingdom Animalia Phylum Annelida Rank Species Subclass Canalipalpata | Family Cirratulidae Genus Dodecaceria Order Terebellida | |
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Black boring worms, Dodecaceria pulchra, are a species of marine polychaete worms in the family Cirratulidae.
Contents
Description
Black boring worms grow to up to 1cm in total length. They are small black worms which infest encrusting algae and have protruding gills and palps. They look like black stars studding the algae.
Distribution
These animals are found off the southern African coast from Luderitz in Namibia to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and have been seen from the intertidal and down to 10m underwater.
Ecology
The gills of these animals protrude to absorb oxygen from water, while their palps grasp any available floating food.
References
Black boring worm Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA