The creature found in Antarctica possesses a remarkably strange appearance, and many people who see it might undoubtedly associate it with alien monsters from science fiction films.
In the vast Southern Ocean of Antarctica, there exists a giant worm species with a bizarre look, adorned with shimmering yellow bristles that resemble metal.
Scientifically named Eulagisca gigantea, the most notable feature of this species is its abdomen covered in golden bristles and a mouth filled with sharp fangs. These characteristics contribute to its fearsome appearance.
Eulagisca gigantea is a bristle worm from the Polynoidae family, averaging about 12 cm in length and typically inhabiting Antarctic regions. Its legs may initially appear as soft bristles, but touching them could result in a painful sting.
Despite its strange appearance, recent studies suggest that this species may play a vital role in the health of our planet’s ecosystem.
This peculiar creature is also known as a bristle worm, part of the Polychaetes class, which translates to “many small bristles.” They are worms averaging about 12 cm in length and are commonly found in Antarctic waters.
According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Polychaetes exhibit a wide variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from small round worms the size of candy to those longer than two meters, found in numerous habitats with diverse colors.
The mouth of this worm is approximately 2 cm wide, yet its sharp fangs can easily capture prey. However, the precise hunting methods of these creatures remain a mystery, partly because they live deep in Antarctic waters and no one has yet dared to investigate thoroughly.
In fact, the Eulagisca gigantea uses its stiff bristles on its abdomen to move along the ocean floor. This also serves as their defensive “weapon.” Consequently, this species exhibits unusual traits and has been under-researched by scientists due to its inaccessible habitat.
The bristle worm was first discovered in 1939, but we still know very little about its biological characteristics or dietary habits.
However, its long, strong jaws suggest that it feeds on other marine fish. Yet, information regarding its diet and hunting techniques remains largely unexplored, with its sharp teeth hinting that it may also be a scavenger.
Additionally, the part of its body that resembles a head is actually a throat that can extend outward by about 5 to 7 cm when eating.
The Eulagisca gigantea belongs to the Polynoidae family, which includes many species of flat, short marine worms found worldwide. They are characterized by a covering of scales known as elytra. Much like a real Xenomorph, when feeding, this worm expands its 7 cm throat and tears apart its prey with its sharp mouth.
To date, scientists have described 80 families and 8,000 different marine worm species, but the actual number may be much higher. Recently, researchers have used DNA analysis to estimate that this worm species plays an essential role in the marine ecosystem and may provide insights for scientists studying life in the deep ocean.
This marine worm has scales and typically dwells in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. They exhibit a brown-gray color with no patterns on their bodies. They usually inhabit depths ranging from 40 to 700 meters. Eulagisca gigantea has a flattened body with up to 15 pairs of scales on its back.
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Eulagisca gigantea can grow up to 20 cm in length. These marine creatures have 40 body segments covered by 15 pairs of scales called elytra. Generally, their heads are oval-shaped. They possess a tubular snout ending with a pair of large jaws equipped with sharp teeth. The head accounts for about one-quarter of the remaining body size. The body and head of this creature are usually brown-gray. Additionally, hundreds of yellow bristles called chaetae extend from its body in tufts along its length. This species typically lives alone, except during reproduction. Females attract males by releasing pheromones to signal their readiness to mate. Once released into the water, the eggs from the female are fertilized by the male. The fertilized eggs usually float freely in the water like plankton. These eggs develop into larvae, and after the larval stage, their bodies grow to adult size. |
