Sabellariid Worm Reef
by Olga Hamilton
Title
Sabellariid Worm Reef
Artist
Olga Hamilton
Medium
Photograph
Description
Bathtub Reef is a fascinating reef system, created by tiny tube-building Sabellariid sea worms. It is not only an incredibly unique system, but also an extremely fragile one. The worms cement sand grains together, creating a vast network of tube dwellings. Colonies build on top of one another over time and create a reef system that helps break waves and reduce beach erosion. This habitat is used by over 500 marine species including endangered sea turtles who forage on and around the reef. Due to its importance, this ecosystem is federally designated as Essential Fish Habitat. Sabellidae (feather duster worms) are sedentary marine polychaete tube worms where the head is mostly concealed by feathery branchiae. They build tubes out of parchment, sand, and bits of shell. Glomerula secretes a tube of calcium carbonate. They tend to be common in the intertidal zones around the world. Their oldest fossils are known from the Early Jurassic.
Fine art for sale at The 1895 Church of StuArt, a historical building of the first community church built in Stuart, Martin County, Florida, in 1895, and fine art studio. 311 SW Street, Stuart, Fl 34994. The proceeds from sales benefit the historical building maintenance and restoration.
Uploaded
June 15th, 2014
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