Eudistylia polymorpha

The Giant Feather Duster Worm

Phylum Annelida
Class Polychaeta
Order Sabellida
Family Sabellidae
Genus Eudistylia
Species polymorpha

Description: About 27 cm in length; color of cirri can be brown, orange or maroon, but maroon cirri with orange tips are most common; cirri arise from two spiral bases; deep cleft in each spiral base; longitudinal groove in anterior portion of worm; tube is brown and feels parchment-like.

Habitat: Found on floats and pilings.

Natural History: The cirri are used to trap food particles and to obtain oxygen. The wormÕs longitudinal groove carries fecal waste, as well as its gametes, to the mouth of the tube. We found this particular worm at Boston Harbor..