European Fan Worm, Sabella spallanzanii, close-up from the Mediterranean Sea, Cirkewwa, Malta.

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European Fan Worm, Sabella spallanzanii, is a rather large species of the family of Sabellidae. It can reach a maximum length of 40 cm, sometimes bigger in deeper waters. Fan worms are filter-feeder that uses their head filaments to filtrate the surrounding waters for plankton. Sabella spallanzanii is named after the biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani during the 18th century. Common names include Mediterranean fanworm, feather duster and pencil worm. Original habitats are found in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, but the fanworm has spread its distribution throughout marine environments worldwide and is therefore listed as invasive species in other parts of the world.

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Size: 4358px × 3217px
Location: Cirkewwa, Mellieha, Malta
Photo credit: © Rasmus Loeth Petersen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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