General Description

Body green and usually hidden between rocks or in sand. Tongue (proboscis) flat, green and "Y"-shaped. Body up to 6 cm long, tongue up to 5 cm long.

Biology

Green Spoon Worms bury in the sediment or between rocks on reefs and extend their long tongue (proboscis) onto the reef above to feed, waiting for particles to fall onto it. Their green pigment stains fingers if they are handled. This species was originally classified in its own Phylum, Echiura, but it is now grouped with segmented worms because it has internal segments.

Distribution

Southern Australia.

Habitat

Reef areas, to depths greater than 20 m.

More Information