Aphrodita | |
---|---|
Aphrodita aculeata | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Annelida |
Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
Subclass: | Errantia |
Order: | Phyllodocida |
Suborder: | Aphroditiformia |
Family: | Aphroditidae |
Genus: |
Aphrodita Linnaeus, 1758 [1] |
Type species | |
Aphrodita aculeata Linnaeus, 1758
| |
Species | |
See text |
Aphrodita is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. [2]
Several members of the genus are known as "sea mice".
The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, the Ancient Greek goddess of love, said to be because of a resemblance to human female genitalia. [3] The English name may derive from the animal's similarity, when washed up on shore, to a bedraggled house mouse. [4]
Aphrodita adults generally fall within a size range of 7.5 to 15 centimetres (3.0 to 5.9 in), with some growing to 30 centimetres (12 in). The body is covered in a dense mat of parapodia and setae (hairlike structures). [2] The animal lacks eyes, feeling its way with two pairs of appendages close to the mouth. Several small, bristly, paddle-like appendages provide locomotion. Aphrodita are hermaphroditic, having functional reproductive organs of both sexes, with the eggs of one individual being fertilised by the sperm of another. [5]
The spines, or setae [2] on the back of the animal are a unique feature. Normally, these have a deep red sheen. But when light shines on them perpendicularly, they flush green and blue – a "remarkable example of photonic engineering by a living organism". This structural coloration is a defense mechanism, giving a warning signal to potential predators. The effect is produced by many hexagonal cylinders within the spines, which are said to perform much more efficiently than man-made optical fibres. [6]
Aphrodita are typically scavengers. [2] However, Aphrodita aculeata is an active predator, [7] feeding primarily on small crabs, hermit crabs, and other polychaete worms such as Pectinaria. [7]
Species recognized by the World Register of Marine Species: [1]
Aphrodita | |
---|---|
Aphrodita aculeata | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Annelida |
Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
Subclass: | Errantia |
Order: | Phyllodocida |
Suborder: | Aphroditiformia |
Family: | Aphroditidae |
Genus: |
Aphrodita Linnaeus, 1758 [1] |
Type species | |
Aphrodita aculeata Linnaeus, 1758
| |
Species | |
See text |
Aphrodita is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. [2]
Several members of the genus are known as "sea mice".
The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, the Ancient Greek goddess of love, said to be because of a resemblance to human female genitalia. [3] The English name may derive from the animal's similarity, when washed up on shore, to a bedraggled house mouse. [4]
Aphrodita adults generally fall within a size range of 7.5 to 15 centimetres (3.0 to 5.9 in), with some growing to 30 centimetres (12 in). The body is covered in a dense mat of parapodia and setae (hairlike structures). [2] The animal lacks eyes, feeling its way with two pairs of appendages close to the mouth. Several small, bristly, paddle-like appendages provide locomotion. Aphrodita are hermaphroditic, having functional reproductive organs of both sexes, with the eggs of one individual being fertilised by the sperm of another. [5]
The spines, or setae [2] on the back of the animal are a unique feature. Normally, these have a deep red sheen. But when light shines on them perpendicularly, they flush green and blue – a "remarkable example of photonic engineering by a living organism". This structural coloration is a defense mechanism, giving a warning signal to potential predators. The effect is produced by many hexagonal cylinders within the spines, which are said to perform much more efficiently than man-made optical fibres. [6]
Aphrodita are typically scavengers. [2] However, Aphrodita aculeata is an active predator, [7] feeding primarily on small crabs, hermit crabs, and other polychaete worms such as Pectinaria. [7]
Species recognized by the World Register of Marine Species: [1]