Spirobranchus kraussii


Spirobranchus kraussii, the blue coral-worm, is a species of marine invertebrate in the family Serpulidae of order Sabellida. It is native to the Indian Ocean.

Synonyms

  • Placostegus caeruleus Schmarda, 1861
  • Placostegus cariniferus kraussii Baird, 1865
  • Placostegus latiligulatus Baird, 1865
  • Placostegus ornatus articulata Mörch, 1863
  • Pomatoceros caerulescens Augener, 1922
  • Pomatoleios caerulescens Augener, 1922
  • Pomatoleios crosslandi Pixell, 1913
  • Pomatoleios kraussii
  • Pomatoleios kraussii manilensis Pillai, 1965

Distribution

Description

The head has two rows of feathery branches and a stalked operculum with two pointed wings and a flat cap. Length about 15mm and tubes are about 2mm inside diameter.

Habitat

The blue coral-worm builds massive colonies of interwoven calcareous tubes, which can be locally abundant on moderately exposed rocky shores. It is a filter feeder.