Chaetopterus variopedatus
| Chaetopterus variopedatus | |
|---|---|
| C. variopedatus(figure 3) | |
| Photo of Chaetopterus variopedatus behind the smaller Lanice conchilega | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Family: | Chaetopteridae |
| Genus: | Chaetopterus |
| Species: | C. variopedatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chaetopterus variopedatus Renier, 1804
| |
| Synonyms | |
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Chaetopterus variopedatus is a species of parchment worm, a marine polychaete in the family Chaetopteridae. It is found worldwide. However, recent discoveries from molecular phylogeny analysis show that Chaetopterus variopedatus sensu Hartman (1959) is not a single species.
Polychaetes, or marine bristle worms, have elongated bodies divided into many segments. Each segment may bear setae (bristles) and parapodia (paddle-like appendages). Some species live freely, either swimming, crawling or burrowing, and these are known as "errant". Others live permanently in tubes, either calcareous or parchment-like, and these are known as "sedentary".