The cactus worm
Priapula are a small phylum of small, worm-like animals found in Puget Sound. They occur in most seas, both tropical and polar, at a variety of depths, from shallow coastal waters to as far down as 7,200 meters.
Cactus of the sea
Although it may look like a cross between a worm and a cactus, the cactus worm is actually neither. Priapulus caudatus belongs to a group of animals called cephalorhynchs, which means “beak-head.” This group is a mixed bag of several different types of animals that share a special feature – a swollen tubular mouthpart called a proboscis. The proboscis has tiny beak-like teeth and can be turned inside out to hook prey and then retracted back inside the body. Enlarged to human size, it could be the terrifying star of a science fiction movie.
Priapulus caudatus. Photo courtesy of Atli Arnarson.
An affinity for mud
P. caudatus is actually giant in comparison to its microscopic relatives, reaching up to 15 centimeters in length. It prefers the cold water of high latitudes, and can be found from the shoreline all the way to the deep sea (about 7,500 meters.) Its favorite habitat is the soft silty mud of the sea floor, where it burrows hind-end-first by expanding and contracting the muscles in its body wall. It spends most of its time moving slowly through the sediment, reaching out with its proboscis to ensnare marine worms and any other slow-moving creatures it encounters.
Similar to crustaceans
The family Priapulidae is a special group of cephalorhynchs that actually has more in common with shrimp or crabs than with worms. As they grow, priapulid adults and larvae shed their skin in a molting process called "ecdysis." The ecdysis process is similar to how crustaceans shed their outer shells.
Classification of Priapulus caudatus
Today there are only about 16 species of priapulids world-wide, but numerous priapulid fossils have been found dating back millions of years to the Cambrian period.
The priapulid family tree
Modern-day priapulids aren’t that different from their ancient ancestors. Their soft, unsegmented bodies are divided into three sections:
- Introvert
The animal’s anterior (head) end which contains the mouth. - Trunk
The midsection, which has a ringed appearance and is covered with tiny bumps called papillae. - Caudal appendage
A long feathery “tail”, which serves various functions depending on the species. Scientists speculate that the tail of P. caudatus may serve as a breathing organ.
Priapulus caudatus, preserved specimen
