Aphrodita aculeata
Aphrodita aculeata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Annelida |
Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
Subclass: | Errantia |
Order: | Phyllodocida |
Family: | Aphroditidae |
Genus: | Aphrodita |
Species: | A. aculeata
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Binomial name | |
Aphrodita aculeata |
Aphrodita aculeata, the sea mouse, is a
Etymology
The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, the Ancient Greek goddess of love, said to be because of a supposed resemblance to human female genitalia.[3] The English name may derive from the resemblance to a bedraggled house mouse when washed up on shore.[4] The specific name aculeata is the Latin for spiny.
Description
The body of the sea mouse is covered in a dense mat of setae (hairlike structures).[5] Adults generally fall within a size range of 10 to 20 centimetres (3.9 to 7.9 in).
Structural coloration
The spines, or setae,
Feeding
The sea mouse is an active predator[2] feeding primarily on small crabs, hermit crabs and other polychaete worms including Pectinaria and Lumbriconereis.[2] It has been observed consuming other polychaete worms over three times its own body length.[2] Feeding activity takes place at night, with the animal partially buried in sand.[2]
References
- ^ WoRMS: Aphrodita aculeata Linnaeus, 1758
- ^ a b c d e Tyler, Lizzie. "BIOTIC Species Information for Aphrodita aculeata". Biological Traits Information Catalogue. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ Kennedy, Jennifer (1 October 2019). "Profile of the Sea Mouse Ocean Worm". ThoughtCo. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ISBN 978-0-7566-2205-3.
- ^ a b "sea mouse". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
- ^ "Sea mouse promises bright future". BBC News. BBC. January 3, 2001. Retrieved April 26, 2012.