Beard Worms: Pogonophora
Norwegian Tubeworm (siboglinum Fiordicum): Species Account
Physical characteristics: The body of a Norwegian tubeworm grows up to 11.8 inches (300 millimeters) in length and 0.009 inches (0.25 millimeters) thick. The smooth tube is patterned with gray or brown rings. This tubeworm has only one tentacle.
Geographic range: The Norwegian tubeworm lives only in Norway.
Habitat: Norwegian tubeworms live on the sandy or muddy bottoms of fjords, at depths ranging from 82 to 656.7 feet (25 to 200 meters).
Diet: The Norwegian tubeworm relies mostly on bacteria to produce food.
The body of a Norwegian tubeworm grows up to 11.8 inches (300 millimeters) in length and 0.009 inches (0.25 millimeters) thick. Visible here is the anterior end and tentacle.
Behavior and reproduction: This worm uses its tail to burrow into the mud or sand.
Norwegian tubeworms and people: Norwegian tubeworms are one of the most easily studied beard worms because they live at relatively shallow depths.
Conservation status: The Norwegian tubeworm is not considered endangered or threatened. ∎
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Books:
Desbruyéres, D., and M. Segonzac, eds. Handbook of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Fauna. Brest, France: IFREMER, 1997.
Van Dover, C. L. The Ecology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2000.
Periodicals:
McMullin, E. R., S. Hourdez, S. W. Schaeffer, and C. R. Fisher. "Phylogeny and Biogeography of Deep Sea Vestimentiferan Tubeworms and Their Bacterial Symbionts." Symbiosis 34 (2003): 1-41.
Web sites:
Introduction to the Pogonophora. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/annelida/pogonophora.html (accessed on January 3, 2005).
Additional topics
Animal Life ResourceMollusks, Crustaceans, and Related SpeciesBeard Worms: Pogonophora - Physical Characteristics, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Beard Worms And People, Norwegian Tubeworm (siboglinum Fiordicum): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, CONSERVATION STATUS