Bristle Worms

Bristle worms, or polychaetes, are cylindrical, soft-bodied annelid worms with a segmented body.

• Bristle worms have tiny, hair-like bristles along each side of the body.
• The bristles are attached to appendages called parapodia.
• Each body segment has one pair of parapodia, which vary in shape depending on the bristle worm species.
• Most bristle worms have a head with eyes, antennae and sensory palps.

What species of bristle worms live in the Bay?

More than 110 species of bristle worms have been identified in the Bay. Some of these include:

• Bloodworms, Glycera spp.
• The common clamworm, Neanthis succinea
• The capitellid thread worm, Heteromastus filiformis
• The freckled paddle worm, Eteone heteropoda
• Red-lined worms, Nephtys spp.
• The common bamboo worm, Clymenella torquata
• The trumpet worm, Pectinaria gouldii

Where do bristle worms live?

Bristle worms are abundant in many parts of the Bay and its tributaries. Some burrow or build tubes, while others crawl or swim. Each species falls into one of two general — but unscientific — categories:

• "Errant worms" that wander among the shoreline and shallows in search of food. Some may build tubes or burrows that they return to, while others move around freely.
• Tube-building worms that build permanent tube or burrow “homes” on shoreline flats. Since they wait for their prey to come to them, tube-building bristle worms have specialized appendages to help them gather food.

What do bristle worms eat?

Bristle worms feed on plankton and other bits of organic matter, including algae or pieces of dead organisms.

How do bristle worms reproduce?

Most bristle worms are either male or female. They reproduce by releasing sperm and eggs into the water. Larvae metamorphose from a free-swimming stage to a segmented stage before maturing. A few bristle worm species take care of their young.

Some bristle worm species reproduce asexually by budding.

Other facts about bristle worms:

• Bristle worms belong to the same phylum as leeches and earthworms.
• The class name polychaeta means "many hairs," referring to the worms' numerous bristles.
• Many bristle worms break apart easily when handled, but are able to regenerate the lost or damaged parts.