Worms in the sands under the waves
- In childhood, we often had “chills” in our hands in a plot, in a park or in rural areas... However, in these times when recreational areas are becoming more artificial, it is difficult to find them in urban or communal areas. But those who know the marine fauna know that they are also among the underwater beaches and rocks that are not so accessible; and more spectacular than those of the garden. Bring your imagination to life with your swimsuit and diver mask, and dive into our shores in search of lesser-known worms.
Anelids are worms or worms whose body is divided into segments; terrestrial, freshwater or marine. The latter are known as “polyketos” and are found in almost all marine environments: plankton, surface waters and deep field suction cups, as well as near underwater volcanic sources. Predators, being sedimentary and filtering, live freely according to their species, both inside the substrate and inside the tubes created specifically for their protection. Although all polyketes have an elongated, soft body divided into almost identical segments (metamers), their external appearance is very diverse.
Among all those that we have in the Cantabrian Sea, there are some that, even living inside the tube, extract from its extremity spectacular feathers: spirographs. This name refers to the spiral position of the coloured bow in the shape of the mentioned pen. The gills of the spirograph that we can find in the Cantabrian waters acquire a yellow, black and blue color that, in addition to its respiratory function, also serves to nourish: in this way, they filter the water and retain the small particles present in the water.
These slender feathers offer a dazzling dance dependent on the currents to delight the eyes of the submersible. But be careful, because this dance can be easily interrupted. In fact, these gills are very sensitive and easily perceive any change in their surroundings, so if something is bothering them, they quickly hide and protect themselves inside the ducts. So, if we want to see them underwater, we’ll have to make calm, gentle and sweet movements, replacing the wave swing.
For the construction of the protection tube, the suspended worm grains are captivated with feathered ponytails and ground locally with the aid of the mucus secreted by the worm itself.
These animals are reproduced by external fertilization, with the gametes released into the water; the fertilized eggs will be transformed into larvae (called “trochophores”), which are part of the plankton at this time. By becoming an adult, they will have their body stretched and divided into segments. If multiple plumbrels sit together in the same place, they can create large reefs, forming a habitat for many living beings.
Put on the wings of your feet and dive into the search for these beautiful feathers!
LUMA-MOTOTSA by Sabella spallanzanii
THE TEAM: Anelid / Sabellida.
THE SIZE OF: It can reach 60 cm. The feather pigtail can be up to 20 cm.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE? In the Atlantic, from the North Sea to Morocco, and in the Mediterranean. Both in protected areas and in strong currents. It reaches a depth of 30 meters.
LEVEL OF PROTECTION: Named “Vulnerable” in the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
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