Christmas Tree Worm

closeup of a Christmas Tree Worm embedded in a Brain Coral
STATION C: This Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus grandis) is permanently buried in the Brain Coral colony.  The two yellowish-orange fluffy things are its gills that it uses to breathe, getting oxygen from seawater. 

Can you spot the worm's pinkish, two-spined trap door?  If the worm detects a disturbance, in a blink of an eye, it pulls in its gills and closes its trap door for protection.

Caroline Rogers

 
Off in the distance, through the clear seawater, you can see what looks like another coral. Swim over to investigate it at Station D.

Last updated: May 31, 2016

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