Worm? ID

Hi,

I found this worm on a colonial ascidian yesterday. I have included a crop of the head (or at least the end facing in the forward direction!?)

It was about 25 - 30mm long. Depth 15m, site The Nursey, Bowen Island, Jervis Bay, Australia.

cheers

Leander

Non-segmented white trash, looks like a nemertean. I'll let Nemertinator know.

Non-segmented white trash

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL

Sputter... @$%$^ Are we engaging in class... I mean phylum warfare? <_<

Yes, it is a lovely nemertean, and that is its head. Best I can do is put it in a catch-all genus called Tetrastemma (four eyes). I don't have literature handy and am not sure if it's a known species or not. Most Tetrastemma are relatively plain but the color pattern on this looks like it would be pretty diagnostic. It is a monostiliferan hoplonemertean, meaning it has a proboscis with a single dagger-like stylet. It probably feeds on crustaceans like amphipods.

--Jon

It probably feeds on crustaceans like amphipods.

... DOH !!! ... how come I get the feeling that if I had known the next photo might have been sooo very much more interesting !?!?

The worm was closing in on some asellote isopods (as previously I'd by Art) The first shot showa the action - although its all a bit soft. I will post clearer pics of the isopods following (though not the action!)

you guys are gonna having me hunting for microscopic predation everywhere

Sputter... @$%$^ Are we engaging in class... I mean phylum warfare? <_< 

If it makes you feel better you can call me non-segmented white trash too!

asellote isopods ...

you guys are gonna having me hunting for microscopic predation everywhere

Excellent! And maybe get some real worms next time!

those are really nice pod shots, especially considering their size.