About the Indian Tubeworm
Feather duster worms are sedentary marine polychaetes where the head is mostly concealed by feathery branchiae. It is encased in a translucent tan tube made of protein and filters particles. The Indian Tubeworm has a plume that is colored orange to a maroon or brown which is sometimes banded with lighter color. It has 30 feather-like reddish gills (called radioles) that are on each side of the tube. These tubeworms filter feed on small food particles and plankton floating in the water and can only thrive in areas with moving currents that bring in new plankton.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Order: Canalipalpata
Family: Sabellidae
Genus: Sabellestarte
Species: indica
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Order: Canalipalpata
Family: Sabellidae
Genus: Sabellestarte
Species: indica
Location & Habitat
Inhabits suspension-rich areas with its parchment-like tube embedded in shady, sandy, and/or muddy rubble areas of lagoons and bays. The Indian Tubeworm can be found in the Tropical Indo-Pacific and Red Sea. They tend to be common in the intertidal zones around the world.
Human Impact
Unknown.
Interesting Facts
- The surface of the tentacles is bathed in sticky mucus that traps any particles to hit it
- Feather duster worm's fertilize externally and depending on the species they will either brood eggs or spawn freely
Sources
- http://www.danielpomfret.com/underwater/album/slides/Indian%20Tubeworm%20-%20Sabellastarte%20indica,%20Dahab,%20Red%20Sea%20IMG_1284.html
- http://redsea.dive.ru/GR_14.htm
- http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/indian-tubeworm-or-feather-duster-worm-is-a-high-res-stock-photography/106454926
- http://www.arkive.org/peacock-worm/sabella-pavonina/
- http://www.tfhmagazine.com/saltwater-reef/species-profiles/sabellastarte-indica.htm
- http://www.mesa.edu.au/AtoZ/Feather-duster-worm.asp