Christmas tree worm
Spirobranchus giganteus
Each worm has two brightly colored crowns that protrude from its tube-like body.
Spirobranchus giganteus
The radioles are appendages that are used for respiration and to catch dinner
Photo: JTA Maire | Tetiaroa Society
Spirobranchus giganteus
When startled, Christmas tree worms rapidly retract into their burrows, hiding from would-be predators.
Photo: JTA Maire | Tetiaroa Society
Spirobranchus giganteus
While the colorful crowns of these worms are visible, most of their bodies are anchored in burrows that they bore into live coral.
Photo: JTA Maire | Tetiaroa Society
Tahitian names
Eu'a au
Interesting facts
Each worm has two brightly colored crowns that protrude from its tube-like body. These Christmas tree-like crowns are composed of radioles, or hair-like appendages radiating from the worm’s central spine. These appendages are used for respiration and to catch dinner, which typically consists of microscopic plants, or phytoplankton, floating in the water.
These worms are sedentary, meaning that once they find a place they like, they don’t move much. In fact, while the colorful crowns of these worms are visible, most of their bodies are anchored in burrows that they bore into live coral. When startled, Christmas tree worms rapidly retract into their burrows, hiding from would-be predators.
Christmas tree worms come in a variety of bright colors. They aren’t very big, averaging about 1.5 inches in length. However, because of their distinctive shape, beauty, and color, these worms are easily spotted. They are some of the most widely recognized polycheates, or marine burrowing, segmented worms out there.
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