Sep 5, 2022
nereid worms (Alitta sp.) prowling the tidal mudflats
nereids and other predatory polychaete worms (such as bobbit worms) are related to earthworms but have a more complex brain, leg-like parapodia, eyes, antennae, and sharp retractable jaws for grasping prey. I think of them as marine centipedes.
normally they stay out of sight buried in the mud, so I was a bit surprised to see these ones crawling out in the open, various smaller invertebrates scrambling out of the way to avoid becoming the worms’ next meal.
(PEI, Canada, 7/29/22)
