Colony of Christmas tree worms off Key Largo coast, Florida, USA

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Colony of Christmas tree worms (scientific name: Spirobranchus giganteus),fish, off Key Largo coast, Atlantic Ocean, Florida Keys, USA, United States. Spirobranchus giganteus is commonly found embedded in entire heads of massive corals. Like members of its family, it can secrete a calcareous tube around its body. This tube serves as the worm's home and protection. S. giganteus usually bores a hole into an existing head of living coral before secreting its tube, thereby increasing its level of protection.

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Size: 5700px × 3816px
Location: Key Largo, Florida Keys, United States, USA
Photo credit: © Amar and Isabelle Guillen - Guillen Photo LLC / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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