Marine Worms

In the ocean, different Phyla of worms has different distinct features. Some of them may appear totally unworm-like. Worms is an animal with a soft body that have elongated body. However, the marine worms tend to be in various shape and colours. Although they may appear similar, marine worms may belong to very different phyla, often with quite different internal structures. There are few types of marine worms such as the beautiful worms like Fan worms from family Sabellidae (phylum Annelida) and Phoronoid worms (phylum Phoronida). There is also Flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes) look like frilly, flat ovals and come in a delightful variety of colours and patterns. There are also marine worms that live in a tube such as Keel worms or Tubeworm (phylum Annelida) band the unseen worms such as the strange Peanut worm (phylum Sipuncula) and Acorn worm (phylum Hemichordata).

In Pulau Kapas, there are Christmas tree worms from phylum Annelida. They comprises of calcareous tube and is usually embedded in the coral skeleton. Their bright-colored crowns (plumes/ tentacles) are composed of radioles, or hair-like appendages radiating from the central spine.

The marine worms usually catch microscopic plants, or phytoplankton, filter feeders, bottom feeder, and deposit feeders. Some are parasitic too. Such as the Christmas tree worms, they help starfish that could otherwise destroy the coral. Most damaged coral reefs recover faster when there is nearby marine worm population and they can be the prey for shrimps, crabs, sea urchins and butterflyfish.