Gorgonorhynchus repens
Gorgonorhynchus repens discharging a sticky proboscis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Nemertea
Class:
Anopla
Order:
Heteronemertea
Family:
Gorgonorhynchidae
Genus:
Gorgonorhynchus
Species:
G. repens
Binomial name
Gorgonorhynchus repens
Dakin & Fordham, 1931[1]

Gorgonorhynchus repens is a species of the proboscis worm in the subclass Heteronemertea and of the family Gorgonorhynchidae. It is to be found on the seabed in shallow water in the Pacific Ocean.

Description

G. repens is orange in colour and grows to an unstretched length of about 50 mm (2 in). It is cylindrical in shape with bluntly tapering ends.[2] Proboscis worms are known for their reversible proboscides, but in most species these are unbranched and cylindrical, or may have a sharp, venomous stylet part way to the tip. In a few instances, they are branched but the side branches are short and the proboscis resembles a feather.[3] In the case of G. repens, the proboscis is a densely branching structure giving the impression of a cloud of mucus secretion.[4]

Distribution and habitat

G. repens is native to the Pacific Ocean where it is found in shallow water on the seabed, living on the surface or tunnelling through soft sediment.[4]

Ecology

Proboscis worms in general are predatory, snaring or spearing their prey.[3] At first, zoologists were unclear precisely how this species fed; the branched proboscis resembles the feeding tentacles of sea cucumbers in the family Synaptidae, which feed by sifting through sediment, and might have the same function; alternatively, the proboscis might function like the cirri in the oral hood of the lion nudibranch (Melibe leonina) which feeds by filtering zooplankton out of the water.[4] It is now accepted that the branched proboscis is shot out like a sticky harpoon and snares animals such as molluscs and other worms. It is then reeled in, dragging the prey back to the mouth, where it is swallowed whole. The proboscis is also used defensively if the proboscis worm is stressed.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Gibson, Raymond (2018). "Gorgonorhynchus repens Dakin & Fordham, 1931". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  2. ↑ Rudman, W.B. "Bootlace and ribbon worms: Nemertea". Sea Slug Forum. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  3. 1 2 Ruppert, Edward E.; Fox, Richard, S.; Barnes, Robert D. (2004). Invertebrate Zoology, 7th edition. Cengage Learning. pp. 273–275. ISBN 978-81-315-0104-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. 1 2 3 Rowlett, Joe (6 May 2015). "The Gorgon Worm: Gorgonorhynchus". Reef Builders. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  5. ↑ Pinkowski, Jen (20 May 2015). "Meet This Bizarre and Mysterious Ribbon Worm". Mental Floss. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
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