Featherduster anatomy question

[esmithiii]

I have these small, white featherdusters all over my liverock. I think they are very cool looking, and make the tank look so much more alive. The ones I am referring to have white, hard shells that can get quite long and some are up to 1/8" in diameter (the tubes, the crowns are up to 2" in diameter.) I recently noticed a strange thing coming out of one of my tube worms and wondered what it is. I have attached 2 pictures:

can anyone identify this probiscus looking thing coming out of the featherduster?

Thanks

 

[Jawbone]

are you sure it is a proboscus I would venture to guess that it is what he uses to seal off his tube when he or she retracts into it

 

[esmithiii]

I am not sure about anything. I simply called it a "probiscus looking thing" to identify what I am asking about.

Ernie

 

[clownhippo]

I have never noticed that little thing on any of my tube worms. I would like to know waht that is too.

 

[esmithiii]

^

 

[Jawbone]

I am sure all of my christmas tree worms have that proboscus looking thing and some of my tube worms also have the same. Thats not to say that every feather duster or every tube worm has this protection mechanism but some do.

On the porites coral if yours has the christmas tree worms ( appears like side by side spiral dusters usually in multi colors ) I would guess they all have a similar protection mechanism that seals thier tube.

 

[FishDaddy]

Hey Ernie,
The tiny featherdusters (Serpulidae) have one of their branchiae modified to close its operculum when the crown is retracted. This is a slender branchiae with a plug at the end, as shown in your pictures. The large featherdusters don't have this feature.

Nice photos!
Dick

[ February 25, 2002: Message edited by: FishDaddy ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

I've noticed the same probiscus looking thing on my christmas tree worms. However, mine seems to be attached to a shorter branchiae. It makes it look more like a lid on a can of dog food that's just been opened and peeled back but still attached to the can.

Once again, FishDaddy has hit the nail on the head. Nice diagram!


-po

 

[Jawbone]

Well thats what I said in the beginning but of course I was just taking a SWAG at the question.


SWAG - ( Sophisticated Wild Ass Guess )

 

[esmithiii]

Thanks, fishdaddy. Know I know why they call you fishDADDY!

Ernie

 

[FishDaddy]

Well, Jawbone did get it first.
Dick