Annelids

They are of the phylum Annelida. Annelida means “many rings” for their segmented bodies. Most of the organisms found in the field are from the class polychaeta. Polychaeta means “many setae” for the setae (hair-like bristles) coming off the parapodia. The parapodia are the paddle-like appendages that stick off of the polychaetes. They also have a very defined head and cirri, which helps them to sense the world around them. Annelids that were found in the Pacific Northwest are:

Eudistylia vancouveri (Feather duster worm) 

Saccoglossus sp.

Sepula vermicularis (Tube worm)

Abarenicola pacifica (Lugworm)

Return to Welcome

This webpage is part of the UWT Marine Ecology 2007 Class Project