Bamboo Worm

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Euclymene zonalis has glandular rings on setigers 5 and following. Axiothella rubrocincta has 22 segments and no membranous collar on setiger 4.

Biology/Natural History: This species is thought to have been introduced to the Pacific by oyster culture. It is abundant in parts of Samish Bay, WA, where it makes spongy benthic masses which interfere with oyster culture.

Soft bottoms

Geographical Range: North Atlantic; may have been introduced to the Pacific by oyster culture.

Members of Family Maldanidae has most body segments longer than wide plus the first several setigers are clearly demarcated from one another. In Axiothella rubrocincta the prostomium has a distinctive cephalic plate with a conspicuous rim. The species has no anteriorly directed dermal collars on the the segments. There are several to many uncini but not spiny setae on the neuropodia of the first 2-3 setigers, and setiger 1 has 5 or more neurosetae. There is a membranous collar on the anterior end of setiger 4, and no glandular rings on setigers 5 and following. There are 22 segments total. The anus is central in the pygidium, and is on a funnel. The pygidial cirri are all the same length. This individual had 12 segments besides the prostomium and pygidium.