Giant Tube Worm (species: Riftia pachyptila) in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Animalia > Bilateria > Protostomia > Lophozoa > Annelida > Polychaeta > Sedentaria > Palpata > Canalipalpata > Riftiidae > Riftia > Riftia pachyptila (gallery)
Riftia pachyptila
Giant Tube Worm


©Chris Allen: Giant Tube Worm (Riftia pachyptila)

©Chris Allen: Close-up of Giant Tube Worms (Riftia pachyptila)

©Ellie: Colony of Giant Tube Worms (Riftia pachyptila) around a black smoker vent on the ocean floor (artist's impression).

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Annelida
Class Sedentaria
Order Canalipalpata
Family Riftiidae
Genus Riftia
Species Riftia pachyptila

Distinguishing features

Distinguishing features still need to be specified.

Size

  • From 0 cm to 300 cm (Length of specimen)

Depth range

  • From 0 m to 1600 m - applies to The minimum depth for Giant Tube Worms is not known. However, they do need to be near hot thermal vents on the ocean floor.

Synonyms

Comments

I think that Giant Tube Worms resemble a giant lipstick and inspire cartoonists to think of giant carniverous worms!

by Ellie Shuetrim

Interesting facts

  • Surprisingly, Giant Tube Worms don't have eyes, stomachs or mouths! They are the fastest growing marine invertebrates.

Distribution and habitat preferences

They are often found on hydrothermal vents.They can also tolerate extremely high hydrogen sulfide levels.

Behaviour

Tube worms have a plume that they hide when they are scared. They rely on bacteria to oxidise the hydrogen sulfide.

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