Clam Worm (Nereis virens)

Clam Worm (Nereis virens)
Each segment of this little one is adorned with a pair of foot appendages called parapodia that are tipped with bristles. These are used for respiration and locomotion, both walking over and through the bottom sediments and swimming.

The head has several pairs of sensory antennae somewhat resembling ears, and a pair of shorter, blunt projections called palps resembling eyes (its actual eyes are four tiny black dots located on the top of the head that can only discern light and dark) that are also sensory receptors.

The mouth reveals a pair of formidable, black claw-like pincers. The clam worm is a voracious predator, leaving its mucous-lined burrow at night in search of other worms, crustaceans and small fish, and to tear off pieces of carrion and algae with its hard pincers. The latter are strong enough to crush small bivalves, and can inflict a painful bite if handled carelessly.
So, handle with care if you're going to use it as fish bait ;)

Photos & info via Mike Bottini
http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/East-End/104390/Notes-On-The-Clam-Worm

Reference:
http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=macrobenthos_polychaeta&id=722

#biodiversity   #clamworm   #coolcritters