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Polychaetes - (‘poly’ = many, ‘chaeta’ = bristle) worms
Animals are categorized into about 30 phyla (singular = phylum). All vertebrates (including all fish, bird, reptile, amphibian, and mammal species) are only one part of a single phylum called Chordata. Sponges are their own phylum. Corals, anemones, and jellyfish are another (Cnidaria). Sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sea stars, and brittle stars are another (Echinodermata). Shrimp, lobsters, bumble bees, and cockroaches belong to a huge phylum (Arthropoda). People commonly call many things without a backbone (most animals on the planet) that are somewhat sausage shaped a worm. A 'worm' can then be any animal from about 10 different phyla!
There are many species of polychaetes that have not been named or described yet so the world needs more wormguys and wormladies! |
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last modified 5 October 2005 |
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