Bobbit Worm

Eunice aphroditois

Phylum – Annelida

Class – Phlychaete

Family – Eunicidae

Characteristics:

E. aphroditois has numerous body segments made up of an outer cuticle and inner skin. Each body segment has a set of parapodia which are tipped with bristled setae. The body color is dark purple brown to red brown with a purple iridescence. There is a white ring around the fourth body segment. The distinct head of E. aphroditois has two eyes, five tentacles and an eversible pharynx – an extensible tube that projects outward from the mouth. At the end of the pharynx are sharp mandibles which can give a nasty bite.

Size: Average is around one meter, but specimens have been found that are nearly 3 meters in length

Distribution: Eunicidae are found worldwide, but E. aphroditois have only been found in the Indo-Pacific region.

Habitat: E. aphroditois burrow under rocks and sandy rubble at depths between 10 and 40 meters.

References:

University of Alabama – Invertebrate Zoology department

http://bama.ua.edu/~clydeard/bsc376/lecture9.htm

Marine Education Society of Australasia

http://www.mesa.edu.au/friends/seashores/e_aphroditois.html

George Parsons, Curator of Fishes, John G. Shedd Aquarium

Personal communication 10/3/04