Natal scale-worm cruising on the underside of a rock on the rocky shores. Unknown location, South Africa (2021). Body elongated, about four times as long as broad. Upper surface of the body covered by 12 pairs of flat bean-shaped scales - called 'elytra' by Day (1969). Surface of each elytra covered with low spherical tubercles… Continue reading Natal scale-worm (Lepidonotus durbanensis)
Category: Worms
Spiral fanworms (Spirorbis sp.)
Spiral fanworms on coralline algal crust at the bottom of a rock pool. Mouille Point, Cape Town, Western Cape (2020) - iNaturalist Minute coiled worms with spiral shells. Head with a small number of feathery filter-feeding branches and a stalked operculum that blocks the shell. About 2 mm. Abundant everywhere, dotting most rocks in the… Continue reading Spiral fanworms (Spirorbis sp.)
Carpet flatworm (Thysanozoon brocchii)
Carpet flatworm cruising at the bottom of a rock pool. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2023) - iNaturalist Body pink with a frilly margin. Dorsal surface covered with pink to purple finger-like projections, which both camouflage the animal and increase the surface area available for oxygen exchange. Between 20 and 30 mm in length. Common under… Continue reading Carpet flatworm (Thysanozoon brocchii)
Giant feather-duster worm (Pseudobranchiomma longa)
Details of the spiral whorls of feeding appendages of the tube worm. Old Woman's River, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Also known as the giant fan worm or by its former scientific name, Sabellastarte longa. Head crowned with two magnificent spiral whorls of feeding appendages. Commonly purple, white or orange. The absence of tiny external… Continue reading Giant feather-duster worm (Pseudobranchiomma longa)
Blue coral-worm (Pomatoleios kraussii)
Blue coral-worm reef. Port St Johns, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape (2021). Also known as Spirobranchus kraussii. Gregarious, building massive blue colonies of interwoven tubes which are calcareous (a feature of the family Serpulidae). Head with two rows of feathery branches and a stalked operculum that has two pointed 'wings' and a flat calcareous cap. Worms… Continue reading Blue coral-worm (Pomatoleios kraussii)
Cape reef-worm (Gunnarea gaimardi)
Cape reef-worm stuck in a rock crevice. Yzerfontein, Western Cape (2020). Previously known as Gunnarea capensis. Gregarious, forming massive intertidal reefs of sandy tubes. There is a double row of 40-50 stiff golden bristles on the head, forming a 'door' (operculum) that blocks the tube when the worm withdraws. Worms are about 50 mm long.… Continue reading Cape reef-worm (Gunnarea gaimardi)
Tentacled flatworm (Planocera gilchristi)
Two tentacled flatworms on the underside of a rock. Old Woman's River, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Also referred to as Gilchrist's flatworm or the spotted flatworm. Body broadly oval, both ends being similarly rounded. Margin of the body 'frilly' (strongly folded) but dorsal surface smooth. Fairly firm consistency and very little transparent. Mottled brown… Continue reading Tentacled flatworm (Planocera gilchristi)
F*CK FISH 