The Giant Tube Worm (Riftia Pachyptila)
Giant tube worms were first discovered when scientists explored the deep seas and came across hydrothermal vents.The Giant Tubeworm grows up to eight feet long, and is characteristically known for its large red plume. It is closely related to smaller tubeworm species that inhabit shallower waters. This species lives in the complete absence of light near black smokers, at an average depth of 1,500 meters. and obtain energy through chemosynthesis. They depend on symbiotic bacteria that live within them to convert the chemicals from the hydrothermal vents into organic molecules that provide sustenance to the worm. The plume of the tube worm is an organ that gets its red color from large amounts of hemoglobin present due to the chemical exchange of oxygen, sulfide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen with seawater. The outer portion of the tube consists of chitin, a main component of the exoskeletons of marine crustaceans. The tube worms have no eyes, but they can sense movement in the water and retreat into their tubes when they feel threatened.
Because giant tube worms are sessile organisms, they reproduce by releasing their eggs into the water to be fertilized. The larvae swim down and attach themselves to rocks. They then develop a primitive digestive tract, through which they consume symbiotic bacteria that they will trap and utilize for chemosynthesis after losing their mouth and gut.
Because giant tube worms are sessile organisms, they reproduce by releasing their eggs into the water to be fertilized. The larvae swim down and attach themselves to rocks. They then develop a primitive digestive tract, through which they consume symbiotic bacteria that they will trap and utilize for chemosynthesis after losing their mouth and gut.