Swima bombiviridis
| Swima bombiviridis | |
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| Species: | S. bombiviridis
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| Swima bombiviridis Osborn et al., 2009[1]
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Swima bombiviridis is a worm species that lives in the deep ocean.[2] It is also known as the green bomber worm or bombardier worm. This deep ocean pelagic (free-swimming) annelid has modified bioluminescent gills that can be cast off from an individual. These discarded gills somewhat resemble green "bombs" that remain illuminated for several seconds after they have been discarded. It is thought that this is a defensive mechanism rather than reproductive, as it is seen in both mature and juvenile individuals.[3] This species was the first of its genus, Swima, to be discovered, and was the only one with a formal scientific name as of 2010.[4] The genus name, Swima, is derived from the Latin, referring to the animal's ability to swim. The species name, bombiviridis, is derived from the Latin prefix bombus, meaning humming or buzzing (from which the English word bomb is derived), and the suffix viridis, which is Latin for the color green. Swima bombiviridis therefore translates to "swimming green bomber".[3]
References
- ^ Osborn KJ, Haddock SHD, Pleijel F, Madin LP, Rouse GW (2009). "Deep-sea, swimming worms with luminescent "bombs"". Science. 325 (5943): 964. doi:10.1126/science.1172488.
- ^ Moskowitz, Clara (20 August 2009). "Sea Creature Releases Glowing Decoy 'Bombs'". LiveScience. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
- ^ a b International Institute for Species Exploration (2010). "Bombardier Worm". Top 10 New Species – 2010. Tempe, Arizona: Arizona State University.
- ^ Osborn KJ, Rouse GW (2010). "Phylogenetics of Acrocirridae and Flabelligeridae". Zoologica Scripta. 40 (2): 204–219. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2010.00460.x.
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