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| Feather
Duster Worm |
(Eudistylia
vancouveri) |
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Description:
These marine worms are relatives of segmented land worms. This
species secretes a leathery tube. Feathery cirri banded with
colors of maroon, blue and green. Cirri have eye-spots sensitive
to light and shadow. Found in colonies on pilings, rocky crevices,
and subtidally in large masses of the beaches of Edmonds. Storms
and strong currents sometimes break loose clusters of worm and
wash them into shore, as pictured at left. Length to 10 inches. |
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| Food:
Feathery tentacles called "cirri" trap plankton and
tiny cilia on the plumes carry the food to the mouth. |
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| Reproduction:
Eggs laid |
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| Fun
Facts: At low tide one can gently touch (with wet
finger) the cirri and watch the startled worm withdraw rapidly
into its tube. |
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| Calcareous
Tube Worm |
(Serpula vermicularis) |
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Description:
These marine worms are relatives of segmented land worms. This
species secretes a hard calcareous tube. Feathery cirri are
red. Cirri have eye-spots sensitive to light and shadow. Common
under intertidal rocks, on shells, and pilings. Length to 4
inches. |
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| Food:
Feathery tentacles called "cirri" trap plankton and
tiny cilia on the plumes carry the food to the mouth. |
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| Reproduction:
Eggs laid |
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| Fun
Facts: The shell of this worm is made of calcium
carbonate. |
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| Ruffled
Scale Worm |
(Arctonoe
fragilis) |
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Description:
A free living worm, often found living commensally on Mottled
Sea Stars. Length up to 3 inches. |
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| Food:
These worms eat the scraps and detritus left over from the sea
stars meals, as well as clean the sea stars tube feet of debris;
giving them the nickname "sea star toothbrushes." |
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| Reproduction:
Eggs laid |
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| Fun
Facts: Colors match host. The worm pictured at left
came off of a blue Mottled Sea Star, and was returned to its
host after the photo was taken. |
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| Bread
Crumb Sponge |
(Halichondria panicea) |
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Description:
The most primitive of multi-celled animals, with no specialized
tissue and no blood. This is a soft encrusting sponge, tan to
yellow in color, with a bread-like texture. |
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| Food:
Microscopic cilia create a current that brings plankton into
the pores on the sponges surface. Plankton are filtered out
for food. |
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| Reproduction:
Cellular division. |
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| Fun
Facts: Smells like gun powder when broken. |
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| Red
Encrusting Sponge |
(Ophlitaspongia
pennata) |
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Description:
The most primitive of multi-celled animals, with no specialized
tissue and no blood. This is a soft encrusting sponge, is red
in color, with a smooth texture punctuated by numerous tiny
pores. Common on intertidal rocks; prefers strong wave action.
Locally easiest to find under the ferry dock. |
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| Food:
Microscopic cilia create a current that brings plankton into
the pores on the sponges surface. Plankton are filtered out
for food. |
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| Reproduction:
Cellular division. |
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Fun
Facts: This sponge is eaten by a very small red
nudibranch which matches its color perfectly.
Copyright
© 2008-2009 City of Edmonds, Washington - All Rights Reserved |
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