What is it

[Missdirected]

Hi there. Still new at this board and couldn't find my album. So I put the critter as my avatar. Anyway, what is it? Are those really eyes? Someone on the dive boat took it a few days ago while we were diving in Aruba. It was down probably 40-50ft, I think. It was spotted during the day. U can tell from the surrounding elements how big it was. Thank you.

Okay I realize one can barely make this out but it is in my album - have a look. There are some red eyes or somethin.

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

Nessie maybe-vacationing in Aruba? lol

 

[archman]

I think it's a Magnificent Feather Duster (worm). Those "eyes" are the openings to the tube that the thing lives in. You are looking at the tentacle crowns ("radioles") that it catches plankton with.

I have yet to acquire a good picture of this species myself. My students always scare everything away.

 

[Missdirected]

I think it's a Magnificent Feather Duster (worm). Those "eyes" are the openings to the tube that the thing lives in. You are looking at the tentacle crowns ("radioles") that it catches plankton with.

I have yet to acquire a good picture of this species myself. My students always scare everything away.

Hey great thank you. I thought those were crazy/scary looking "eyes". I put that name into a search which came up with lots of pics of the same thing...no "eyes" though! I like mine better

 

[Blox]

I think it's a Magnificent Feather Duster (worm). Those "eyes" are the openings to the tube that the thing lives in. You are looking at the tentacle crowns ("radioles") that it catches plankton with.

I have yet to acquire a good picture of this species myself. My students always scare everything away.

Something like this?

 

[Missdirected]

Something like this?

That is exactyly it! Still like mine better it had red "eyes". Very nice pic. oh, I moved the pic to a thumbnail and changed my avatar back.

 

[LeslieH]

Close but no cigar, Arch! Since when is the tube on the inside? ;-) The rim of the "eyes" are the lower edges of the branchial crown & its attachment to the body so we're looking down into the uppermost portion of the body. the small digitate appendages on the right side of the "eye" region are some of the mouth parts.

On the other hand, you should see some of the boners I've pulled when discussing non-polychaetes!

 

[archman]

Close but no cigar, Arch! Since when is the tube on the inside? ;-) The rim of the "eyes" are the lower edges of the branchial crown & its attachment to the body so we're looking down into the uppermost portion of the body. the small digitate appendages on the right side of the "eye" region are some of the mouth parts.

Oh come on Leslie! I made that remark regarding crude position, not tissue anatomy. Don't be rough on me for dumbing it down for the average reader. Heck, I'm only a bit more detailed for my invert students, and they call me "mean".:doctor:

 

[LeslieH]

Oh come on Leslie! I made that remark regarding crude position, not tissue anatomy. Don't be rough on me for dumbing it down for the average reader. Heck, I'm only a bit more detailed for my invert students, and they call me "mean".:doctor:

Oh dear, and I even attached a smilie and a self-abusing remark to make it clear I wasn't being rough.... :sad:

 

[archman]

Oh dear, and I even attached a smilie and a self-abusing remark to make it clear I wasn't being rough.... :sad:

Worm people are always rough. Crab people aren't much better. I've heard tanaid specialists are fairly nice, though. And of course starfish people are the most likable. Turtle people are too likable.