terebellid

Terebellid is a common name for a family of marine annelid worms belonging to the order Terebellida. These segmented worms are also known as spaghetti worms or feather duster worms due to their distinctive feeding appendages. Terebellids are found in oceans worldwide, inhabiting a wide range of marine environments from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea. They are deposit feeders, meaning they ingest sediment or detritus from the seafloor to extract organic matter.

A characteristic feature of terebellids is the presence of numerous, long, retractable tentacles that protrude from their anterior end. These tentacles are used to gather food particles from the surrounding substrate. When not actively feeding, the tentacles can be withdrawn into the worm's body. Terebellid worms typically construct tubes made of mucus, sand, and shell fragments, which they inhabit. These tubes can be embedded in soft sediments or attached to hard surfaces. The size of terebellids varies considerably, with some species being only a few millimeters long and others reaching up to several meters in length. Their ecological role involves bioturbation, the disturbance of sediments by burrowing organisms, which can influence nutrient cycling and habitat structure in marine ecosystems.