Spirobranchus cariniferus explained

Spirobranchus cariniferus, commonly known as the blue tubeworm or spiny tubeworm, or by its Māori name toke pā, is a species of tube-building polychaete worm endemic to New Zealand.[1] [2] [3]

This species forms patchy, belt-like colonies of hard, white, triangular tubes, each containing a bright blue worm. These are cemented to the shaded side of rocks in the lower to mid-tidal zone. It may also inhabit hard objects such as dead shells and small stones. When submerged, it puts out a fan of dark-blue tentacles to feed, which it retracts during low tide.[4]

Individuals living in Dunedin's Otago Harbour are the only polychaetes known to host gregarine parasites. Little is known about their impact on the worms, but it is likely to be a negative one.[5]

Description

Adult worms can grow to 40 mm long and 3 mm wide.The tube is hard, white, and triangular in cross-section with a ridge running along the top. This extends from above the tube opening to form a sharp protective spine. The operculum is a flat, calcareous plate. Its stalk is flat with prolonged wings.Its body is a yellow to orange colour towards the posterior and a bright blue at the anterior. Radioles are a bright to dark blue with some white bands.

Diet

The blue tubeworm is a surface filter feeder. It feeds on plankton and organic particles, which it filters from the water using its fan of tentacles.[6] [7]

Distribution

It is found throughout New Zealand. Its tube layers can be up to 30 cm thick in the cooler climate of the South Island.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Collins Field Guide to the New Zealand Seashore. Carson. Sally. Morris. Rod. HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand. 2017. 978-1775540106. Auckland. en.
  2. Web site: Spirobranchus cariniferus (Gray, 1843). www.annelida.net. 2019-06-08.
  3. Web site: WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Spirobranchus cariniferus (Gray, 1843). www.marinespecies.org. en. 2019-06-08.
  4. Smith. AM. Henderson. ZE. Kennedy. M. King. TM. Spencer. HG. 2012-06-26. Reef formation versus solitariness in two New Zealand serpulids does not involve cryptic species. Aquatic Biology. en. 16. 1. 97–103. 10.3354/ab00444. 1864-7782. free.
  5. Poulin. R.. Randhawa. H. S.. Peoples. R. C.. 2012. Parasites of polychaetes and their impact on host survival in Otago Harbour, New Zealand. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. en. 92. 3. 449–455. 10.1017/S0025315411000774. 2012JMBUK..92..449P . 1469-7769.
  6. Web site: Worm, Blue Tube. www.marinelife.ac.nz. 2019-06-08.
  7. Web site: 3. – Marine animals without backbones – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Taonga. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. teara.govt.nz. en. 2019-06-08.