Module 5: Marine Worms

Banner

Lesson 6: Phylum Sipunculans: Peanut WormsSipuncula

Peanut worms have a soft, unsegmented body with a coelom.  They burrow in shallow water in the muddy bottoms, rocks, coral or hide in empty shells. 

All species of the peanut worms are marine.  They have a long head portion which contains a mouth and set of branching tentacles.  These can be pulled back into the posterior portion of the worm, giving it a peanut like appearance.  Peanut worms are typically very small (1 to 35 cm) and are deposit feeders, meaning they feed of particles on the sea floor.

Photo Attribution
Description: Sipuncula
Source: Fotopedia.com