Worms

Overview

Unsegmented Worms

Free living, flattened worms with a simple body plan who live at the low tide level in coarse sand and under rocks and feed by gliding over rock surface eating small invertebrates or dead organisms. The digestive system is an open cavity with a single opening. Worms have a well developed reproductive system.

Peanut Worms

There are over 300 different kinds of Peanut Worm which are usually found buried in sand or mud inside empty sea shells and in coral crevices. They are worm-like, with a long, cylindrical, unsegmented body with two distinct parts. They have a slimmer head than the rest of the body with tentacles surrounding the mouth which are used to grasp food.

Ribbon Worms

Long flat body with few features to distinguish the head from tail. With an average length of 2m, they can reach up to 30m. Found in shallow waters, they are carnivorous and use a proboscis protruding from the head to wrap around their prey and draw it into the mouth.

Nematodes

Commonly known as roundworms, they are cylindrical in shape and taper at both ends. They are the largest and most important worms as they include many parasites of medical, veterinary and agricultural importance. They can be free living or parasitic living in the bodies of other animals and their most important function is the breakdown of organic material in the soil or at the bottom of ponds, lakes or seas.

Segmented Worms

Often called 'true worms', annelids have long slender, rounded and segmented bodies. Main class is the Polychaete or Bristle worms with bunches of bristles near their paddle like limbs. Have a well developed digestive; circulatory and nervous system. Many are free swimming, active and carnivorous using the tentacles on their head to hunt and capture prey.