Peacock feather duster

  Other animals

Identity card

Peacock feather duster

Scientific name:
Sabella spallanzanii
Family:
Sabellidae
Class:
Polychaeta
Phylum:
Annelida
Year of description:
Gmelin, 1791
IUCN Status:
Not Evaluated
Distribution:

Channel, North Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Habitat:

Benthic species that lives in strong currents.

Size:

Between 30 and 60 cm. 15 cm diameter for the plume.

Diet:

Suspension-feeding microphage, phytoplankton and zooplankton, organic particles.

Dugornay Olivier (2018). Spirographe (Sabella spallanzanii) rétracté dans son tube. Ifremer. https://image.ifremer.fr/data/00769/88111/
 

The tube in which this tubicolous annelid worm lives is formed of mucus produced by the animal and mud.

The spirograph lives in this tube but can come out of it.

The double plume of filaments extends and retracts into the tube at the slightest sign of danger. This plume acts as external gills but also traps particles suspended in the water, which the worm feeds on.

Where can I find it at Nausicaá?

Mankind and shores

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