Sabellastarte longa

Sabellastarte longa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Order: Sabellida
Family: Sabellidae
Genus: Sabellastarte
Species: S. longa
Binomial name
Sabellastarte longa
(Schmarda, 1861)[1]

Sabellastarte longa is a species of marine polychaete worms in the family Sabellidae.[1] It is known as a feather-duster worm or a giant fanworm.[2]

Description

Feather-duster worms grow to up to 15 cm in total length. They are attractive fanworms with their heads modified for feeding. Two large spiral whorls in yellow, red, white or purple extend from a tube and retract rapidly if disturbed.[2]

Distribution

These animals are found off the southern African coast from the Cape Peninsula in South Africa to Mozambique, as well as off Madagascar and Australia. They are found intertidally to at least 200m underwater.[2] The majority of them is found surrounding Sydney, and Melbourne.

Ecology

The tube is built from food particles too large to eat and is cemented together with mucus.[2]

Synonyms

The following species are synonyms of Sabellastarte longa:[1]

  • Dasychone odhneri Fauvel, 1921 (subjective synonym)
  • Sabella longa Kinberg, 1866 (objective synonym)

References

  1. 1 2 3 http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=209933 accessed 25 September 2013
  2. 1 2 3 4 Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
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