Worm found in Dominica
Posted January 31st, 2010 by RickCavanaugh
Images:
This photo was taken in Dominica Soufriere Marine Park about 200 yards north of the site champagne in about 20 feet of water.
The worm was very small, about 4mm in diameter. Length is unknown. It had its stick that it hung onto and it would retreat to its hole if approached too close. This was seen during daylight.
It appears to be a small bobbit worm.
However is this native to the caribbean and what is its name?
Wow, how beautiful!
It definitely looks like a member of the Eunicida order with the 5 "tentacles" around it's top. There seem to be many species of Eunice worms through out the tropical waters of the Pacific and Atlantic and not much in the way of images or common names on the Internet. I have a feeling this is going to be an ID for the experts. I for one am very curious about it. The colors and iridescence on this worm are stunning.
You may want to send your pic and info in an e-mail to: jzanol@gwu.edu
Joana Zanol
Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University Department of Invertebrate Zoology
She was involved in the following article:
"A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Eunice (Eunicidae, polychaete, Annelida)"