Christmas Tree Worm
The Christmas tree worm is species of tube-building polychaete worms found throughout the world’s tropical waters. As their name suggests, they are shaped like Christmas trees and come in a wide array of bright colors.
The body of the worm is hidden inside a burrow drilled into coral. Each worm as two spiral-shaped ‘crowns’ that are used for feeding and breathing. Every spiral consists of highly ciliated tentacles called radioles. The cilia function as tiny hairs which beat constantly to move food particles and mucus into the worm’s mouth. The radioles are also used for gas exchange.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirobranchus_giganteus
Pictures via Wikimedia Commons
Cool, and amazing
ReplyDeleteIndeed...and colorful =)
ReplyDeleteI once read that fact is indeed stranger than fiction in the sciences (I think it was Bryson who wrote that). Beauty and symmetry that cannot be dreamt by the human mind are already present in the natural world.
ReplyDeleteYou know what they say "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts" =)
ReplyDelete