Aphrodita

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For the Ancient Greek goddess, see Aphrodite.

Aphrodita
Aphrodita aculeata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Subclass: Errantia
Order: Phyllodocida
Suborder: Aphroditiformia
Family: Aphroditidae
Genus: Aphrodita
Linnaeus, 1758[1]
Type species
Aphrodita aculeata
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

See text

Aphrodita is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean.[2]

Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice"

Etymology

Dorsal view, removed from water

The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, the Ancient Greek goddess of love. This is because, when viewed ventrally, the animal resembles the female vulva.[citation needed]. The English name may either have a similar meaning, or may derive from the supposed resemblance to a bedraggled house mouse when washed up on shore.[3]

Description

The body of the sea mouse is covered in a dense mat of parapodia and setae (hairlike structures).[2] Adults generally fall within a size range of 7.5 to 15 centimetres (3.0 to 5.9 in), but some grow to 30 centimetres (12 in). The sea mouse have two pairs of feeler-like appendages close to their mouth and they do not have eyes. Locomotion is carried out by several small, bristly, paddle-like appendages. They are hermaphroditic which means that they have functional reproductive organs of both sexes. The eggs of one individual are fertilised by the sperm of another.[4]

Structural coloration

Further information: Structural coloration

The spines, or setae,[2] on the scaled back of the sea mouse are one of its unique features. Normally, these have a deep red sheen, warning off predators, but when the light shines on them perpendicularly, they flush green and blue, a "remarkable example of photonic engineering by a living organism". This structural coloration is a defense mechanism, giving a warning signal to potential predators. The effect is produced by many hexagonal cylinders within the spines, which "perform much more efficiently than man-made optical fibres".[5]

Feeding

Aphrodita are typically scavengers.[2] However, Aphrodita aculeata is an active predator,[6] feeding primarily on small crabs, hermit crabs and other polychaete worms such as Pectinaria.[6]

Species

Species recognized by the World Register of Marine Species:[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Fauchald, Kristian; Bellan, Gérard (2008). "Aphrodita Linnaeus, 1758". World Polychaeta database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "sea mouse". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  3. ^ Warren, Rebecca; van Zyl, Miezan; O'Rourke, Ruth; Tokeley, Amber; Heilman, Christine, eds. (2006). "Ocean Life". Ocean: The World's Last Wilderness Revealed (first American ed.). New York City: DK Publishing. p. 276. ISBN 978-0-7566-2205-3.
  4. ^ "Sea Mouse". Encyclopaedia Britannica.
  5. ^ "Sea mouse promises bright future". BBC News. BBC. January 3, 2001. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Tyler, Lizzie. "BIOTIC Species Information for Aphrodita aculeata". Biological Traits Information Catalogue. Retrieved 24 December 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aphrodita.
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