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Animalia >Sipuncula >Phascolosomatidea >Phascolosomatida >Phascolosomatidae >Phascolosoma >

This movie recorded foraging behavior of peanut worms (sipunculids) inhabiting in the rocky intertidal zone of uplift coral reef. Recording was made during spring low tide. The body of peanut worm consists of two parts, a cylindrical trunk and an 'introvert' extended from the trunk forepart. This movie shows the introverts motion. They appeared to pick algae, although the actual food was unclear. Some peanut worms have numerous minute chitin hooks on their introverts. Hooks which arranged in rings (looked like wrinkles) can be seen on the end of introverts in this movie (e.g., at 1'01" or 1'23" for the left individual). The rings of hooks were rolled into inside after the introvert was shrunk completely. Although the detail mechanism is unclear, it is considered that these hooks play an important role in their foraging.

(This movie had been previously recorded as "Foraging behavior of nemertine worm" (momo030806ns01b), but was erased because of the mis-identification and this revision was registered.)

(Data No.momo050303ps01b)

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