Hermodice carunculata (bearded fireworm) (San Salvador Island, Bahamas) 4 (16141648341)

Description:

Description: Hermodice carunculata (Pallas, 1766) - bearded fireworm at a patch reef. Fireworms have tufts of spines/bristles along the lateral margins of the body. Puncture by these spines of results in painful wounds. This species varies in color from greenish brown to brown to whitish to orangish to reddish. The greenish-colored organisms are Microdictyon marinum green algae (Chlorophyta). The pale pinkish-colored material is calcareous red algae ("reef cement") (Rhodophyta). The yellowish-brown organisms are Agaricia agaricites danai scaled lettuce corals. Classification of worm: Animalia, Annelida, Polychaeta, Errantia, Amphinomidae Locality: patch reef west of Rocky Point & northern Sand Dollar Beach, northwestern San Salvador Island, eastern Bahamas. Date: 19 March 2011, 15:42. Source: Hermodice carunculata (bearded fireworm) (San Salvador Island, Bahamas) 4. Author: James St. John.