Glycera (annelid)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the marine annelid. For the midge fly larvae, see Chironomidae. For other uses, see Blood worm.

Bloodworms
Glycera sp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Subclass: Errantia
Order: Phyllodocida
Family: Glyceridae
Genus: Glycera
Savigny, 1818
Species

Many, see text

The genus Glycera is a group of oligochaetas (bristle worms) commonly known as bloodworms. They are typically found on the bottom of shallow marine waters, and some species (e.g. common bloodworms) can grow up to 35 cm (14 in) in length.

Although both are visually similar and commonly used as

lugworms. [citation needed
]

Anatomy

Bloodworms have a creamy pink color, as their pale skin allows their red body fluids that contain

haemoglobin to show through. This is the origin of the name "bloodworm". At the 'head', bloodworms have four small antennae and small fleshy projections called parapodia running down their bodies.[1][2]
Bloodworms can grow up to 35 centimetres (14 in) in length.

Bloodworms are carnivorous. They feed by extending a large

crustacea, and gulls
.

Reproduction occurs in midsummer, when the warmer water temperature and lunar cycle among other factors triggers sexually mature worms to transform into a non-feeding stage called the

parapodia, they swim to the surface of the water where both sexes release gametes
, and then die.

The first stage in many forms of bloodworm is a zooplanktonic stage followed by the benthic instar where the familiar segmented red larvae develop protected by silk tubes made in the bottom silt. These larvae progress from tiny pale opaque worms to the larger red larvae of 3 to 10 centimeters in length or longer over a period as short as 2–3 weeks in optimum conditions.[3]

These animals are unique in that they contain a lot of copper without being poisoned. Their jaws are unusually strong since they too contain the metal in the form of a copper-based chloride biomineral, known as atacamite,[4] in crystalline form.[5] It is theorized that this copper is used as a catalyst for its venomous bite. In Glycera dibranchiata, the jaws are a composite of melanin and 10% copper.[6]

Systematics

Glycera is the type genus of the family Glyceridae. It contains the following species as of October 2023:[7]

Use by humans

Glycera worms are sold commercially in tackle shops as bait for saltwater fishing.[8]

References

  1. OCLC 6322423
    .
  2. doi:10.1242/jeb.136.1.177
    .
  3. ^ "Bloodworm: Uses and applications as a fishing bait". Archived from the original on 2013-03-15. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  4. S2CID 14001250
    .
  5. PMID 12886017
    .
  6. ^ Lesté-Lasserre, Christa (April 25, 2022). "Bloodworms have copper jaws that could inspire self-building materials". New Scientist. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Read, G.; Fauchald, K. (Ed.) (2023). World Polychaeta Database. Glycera Lamarck, 1818. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=129296 on 2023-10-15
  8. ^ WHITTLE, PATRICK (2017-04-27). "Abating Bait: Decline in Prized Worms Threatens Way of Life". U.S. News. Archived from the original on 2018-04-21.

"Fishing for Allergens: Bloodworm-Induced Asthma" study at the Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology (AACI) site [1]

  1. PMID 20529225
    .
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