Characteristics of a Antarctic Scale Worm

1.  Antarctic scale worms (eulagisca gigantea) grow up to a giant 8 inches (20 cm) in length. They are virtually flat from their back to their abdomen. But across the back or abdomen, the worms are up to 4 inches (10cm) wide. These sea creatures have 40 body segments covered by 15 pairs of scales called elytra.

2. The Scale Worm is a short, compact worm with 12 pairs of overlapping scales, called elytra, covering the upper surface. Each scale is marked a distinctive C-shaped brown pattern. The scales may shed if touched. This worm has two pairs of eyes, and two single side antennae.

3. Their scales slough off and regenerate as a defensive mechanism. In some species, the scales produce bioluminescent light, which can leave a predator with a mouthful of glowing parts. That in turn advertises the unwitting animal's whereabouts to its own predators.

4. This bizarre marine worm is found in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica at depths of more than 500 metres.

5. Scale worms are found in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica and can grow up to 20cm long and 10cm wide, and despite their scary looks, research suggest they could be crucial to keeping ecosystems alive.

6. scale worm, any member of the superfamily Aphroditoidea (class Polychaeta, phylum Annelida), a group of widely distributed free-moving, segmented marine worms that possess dorsal scales.

7. Worms are invertebrate animals with bilateral symmetry. Worms have a definite anterior (head) end and a posterior (tail) end. The ventral surface of worms and other organisms is the bottom side of the body, often closest to the ground. The dorsal surface is located on the upper part of the body facing the sky.

8. What does it eat? These tiny carnivores feed on small prey such as crustaceans, echinderms, other polychaetes, and snails. They also feed on sponges and hydroids and may also scavenge. Overlapping scales on the upperside.











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