Swima bombiviridis
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| Osborn et al. , 2009 |
Swima bombiviridis (to German: Floating Worm with green bombs ) is a kind of Vielborstern called, throws off the greenish glowing in contact appendages. The worm lives in the Pacific in water depths of 2000 to 3000 meters. Swima bombiviridis is the type species of the genus Swima , of which seven species are known in2009, five of which form "bombs". The other species live off Oregon and the Philippines .
features
These several centimeters long bristle worms carry two bundles of over 30 bristles on each body segment. These bundles act like paddles during winding movements. The eyeless worms have vesicle-shaped pouches. These are located on those four body segments on which other bristle worms have gills . When touched, they gradually constrict the vesicles. Then these fluoresce green for a few seconds. It is believed that this leads to the confusion of predators. These worms can regenerate the pouches , which act as stun grenades, after a while.
Swima bombiviridis differs from the other species of the genus by its transparent foregut .
source
- Karen J. Osborn et al. : Deep-Sea, Swimming Worms with Luminescent "Bombs". Science , August 21, 2009, Vol. 325, p 964, doi : 10.1126 / science.1172488