diopatra cuprea

Diopatra cuprea also known as the plumed worm is a common sight on Southeastern shorelines. This omnivorous worm glues sediment and plant material together to build a hooded tube that protrudes from its soft surroundings.  Check out a neat video of it building its home here.  As Gracilaria has invaded our coast, Diopatra has made use of it by adding it to its tubes, in return anchoring the plant to the mud flat. Many of the scientists at the Sotka Lab have been researching what kind of interaction there is between the algae and the worm. 

A plumed worm at the Sotka Lab is enticed out of its tube to eat!

Habitat

Diopatra cuprea live on protected mud and sand flats. They live in their tubes made from particles of sediment and other material found in their environment.

Characteristics

Plumed worms have many appendages (arms and legs)! They have 5 long antennae. The plumed worm gets its name from their bushy or plumed gills. Check out the video above to see if you can spot these characteristics of Diopatra cuprea! 

scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Polychaeta
Order: Aciculata
Family: Onuphidae
Genus: Diopatra
Species: Diopatra cuprea


Sources: Carson 1955; Klingel 1951; Knopf 1981