Tubulanus polymorphus Renier, 1804

Common name(s): 
Synonyms:  Carinella speciosa, C. rubra, C. polymorphus, Nemertes elegans, Tubulanus elegans, T. ruber, T. rubra, T. speciosus, Valencia splendida, Sifonentero elegante, Siphonenteron elegans, Ofiocefalo polimorfo, Ophycephalus polymorphus 
Phylum Nemertea
 Class Anopla
  Order Palaeonemertea
   Family Tubulanidae
Tubulanus polymorphus, contracted size, found in mud at Padilla Bay
(Photo by: Dave Cowles 7-2001)
Description:  This nemertean worm, which can be up to 3m long, has a proboscis pore separate from the mouth, both of which are on the ventral side of the head.  The head, which has a broadly rounded cephalic lobe, has no cephalic slits, no eyespots, and no anteroventral grooves.  The body is a uniform bright orange, with no white stripes or lines.  When contracted (see picture) it may be nearly as thick as a pencil.

How to Distinguish from Similar Species:  Most similar species have white stripes or lines, and may have some white on the head, and are ochre or brownish rather than bright orange.

Geographical Range:  Aleutian Island, Alaska to Piedras Blancas Point, central CA

Depth Range:  Low intertidal and subtidal

Habitat:  Under stones embedded in gravel, in mud, or among mussels or seaweed.

Biology/Natural History:  Females have many eggs during the summer.  Development is rapid and direct.


 
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References:
Dichotomous Keys:

Kozloff 1987, 1996
Smith and Carlton, 1975

General References:
Morris et al., 1980
Kozloff, 1993

Scientific Articles:
 

A web site:   A page in Nemertes:  Portal to the nemertean universe


General Notes and Observations:  Locations, abundances, unusual behaviors:


This individual is in a tidepool at Swirl Rocks, WA.  Photo by Dave Cowles June 21, 2005


Authors and Editors of Page:
Dave Cowles (2004):  Created original page