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Tomopterid


A Tomopterid worm. (Photo courtesy of Larry Madin, WHOI)

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A Tomopterid worm. (Photo courtesy of Larry Madin, WHOI)

Tomopterid worms are planktonic worms found in the open ocean, in all the world’s oceans. They are polychaete worms, related to intertidal marine worms often used as bait, and more distantly related to earthworms. They have flattened paddle-like body extensions that look like legs, and swim in an undulating fashion through the water. This species, with red coloring, is found in the Southern Ocean.


Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:
Annelida
Class: Polychaeta


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