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Sand Worms Clam Worms and Tubeworms: Polychaeta

Clam Worms, Sand Worms, Tubeworms, And People

Species of these worms respond quickly to increased amounts of pollution in the water and on the ocean bottom. Their presence or absence may indicate important changes in the marine environment. Some also harm oyster beds managed for harvesting.

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As clam worms, sand worms, and tube-worms grow, they can replace various body parts and even make new worms from broken bits of their own bodies. They can even replace the rear body segments if they are bitten or pulled off by a predator. Rear body segments are usually easy to replace, but a lost head is replaced only rarely. Some species use this ability as a means of reproducing without first having to find a mate. This is called asexual (ay-SEK-shuh-wuhl) reproduction.

Additional topics

Animal Life ResourceMollusks, Crustaceans, and Related SpeciesSand Worms Clam Worms and Tubeworms: Polychaeta - Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Clam Worms, Sand Worms, Tubeworms, And People - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, CONSERVATION STATUS