Can anyone identify this?
- Thread starter pbowl
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Without giving us a location reference, a species tag is highly problematic.
However, the background biota in your images appears to be Caribbean, in which case the worms in your photo are very likely Bispira brunnea. It's a very common fan worm that is usually found in small clumps like that. They come in different colour shades.
However, the background biota in your images appears to be Caribbean, in which case the worms in your photo are very likely Bispira brunnea. It's a very common fan worm that is usually found in small clumps like that. They come in different colour shades.
Rocha
Registered
Archman, the other day I had a discussion with a member in another forum about what the "Caribbean" really is, I was telling him that the Bahamas, Florida, Bermuda and the Gulf of Mexico are not part of the Caribbean. He didn't believe me, and refused to acknowledge that I was right, I guess I wasn't convincing enough.
I have this problem all the time. This "north Caribbean bio-province" can't be categorized geographically other than "west Atlantic". All those islands north of Cuba aren't part of the Caribbean Basin, and neither is the Gulf of Mexico. Yet they usually share most of the Caribbean biota. Only biologists use biogeographical province nomenclature, of which "Caribbean Province" at least has grudging acceptance for areas outside the actual basin. Most of the Gulf of Mexico, for instance, is categorized this way. But province names are only meant to be used in biological contexts.Rocha:
I just refer to the Bahamas and south Florida as "northern Caribbean" when I talk to most people. It's a tolerable compromise. I tried using "Bahamas Platform" a few times, but it simply does not roll off the tongue well. And anyway it only applies to the Bahamas, that marvel of geology.
LeslieH
Contributor
I'll agree with Bispira but not with B. brunnea, at least not without a specimen in hand! There are a lot more clustering species in the "Greater Caribbean" (as one colleague puts it) than just brunnea.
...more commonly known as "social feather-dusters"
LeslieH:
Somehow, I KNEW you were going to say this.
Once more, the worm people sally forth! Now I know what's going into the 3rd edition of Reef Creatures, more fan worms. Bleah!
****
"Greater Caribbean" hmmm... I like that...
LeslieH
Contributor
archman:
You should have, just as I would expect you to comment on anything deep sea, spiny skinned, covered in your classes, etc. We're both knowledgable, opinionated people!
And actually I agree with you about "more fan worms. Bleah!" There are so many other adorable worms that skipped over in favor of the showier fans.... sign......
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