Peanut worm. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an unidentified peanut worm (phylum Sipunculida). This is an unsegmented marine worm. It p

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Peanut worm. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an unidentified peanut worm (phylum Sipunculida). This is an unsegmented marine worm. It possesses an introvert organ (partly seen at upper left) behind its mouth, a long contractile organ which is used for burrowing in sand or mud on the ocean floor. It is withdrawn into the body cavity when not in use. Peanut worms feed on detritus or microscopic organisms. When disturbed, they contract into a peanut-like shape, hence their common name. Magnification: x270 at 6x7cm size. x460 at 4x5ins

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Size: 2271px × 3027px
Photo credit: © DAVID SCHARF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, aquatic, biology, coloured, introvert, invertebrate, invertebrates, marine, meiofauna, microbiology, microscopic, nature, organ, peanut, sem, sipunculida, sipunculoidea, wildlife, worm, zoology