Viewing: Worms
June 19, 2017
Osedax Worms Update 2
Osedax worms have been found in Australian waters for the first time. Osedax worms are ‘whale’ worms, worms that feed on the bones of dead whales. They were recently found burrowed deep inside the bones of a pilot whale hauled up from a deep-sea abyss off Byron Bay, New South Wales (no pun intended). The skull and spine of the pilot whale were both hauled up from the abyss off Australia’s east coast. Scientists discovered Osedax worms burrowed deep inside…
Posted in Research, Whales & Dolphins, Worms | By Steve Reynolds
December 14, 2016
Acorn worm’s ‘Wolverine’ style healing powers
According to a recent report in the Sunday Mail (4/12/16), acorn worms can apparently regrow any of their body parts from nothing. The report was written by Harry Pettit from Washington, USA. He says that “researchers hope that unravelling the worm’s DNA could lead the team to human limb regeneration”. The researchers involved are from the University of Washington and they are trying to open full limb regeneration in humans. The acorn worm apparently has a genetic makeup like that…
Posted in Marine invertebrates, Research, Worms | By Steve Reynolds
July 3, 2016
Victorian marine worm I.D.
Early April 2016, we received an email message with the subject heading “Possible new species”. The message read (in part), “I was just went down Shoreham Beach with my family for a walk through the reef and stumbled across a strange creature. We were able to get a good quality video of it and thought I could send to you. We have previously sighted it three years ago at Mushroom Reef but wasn’t able to get it to any professionals….
Posted in Coastal species, intertidal zone, Marine invertebrates, Worms | By Steve Reynolds