Myzostoma sp.

(Samantha Eady 2012)

Myzostoma sp. (Samantha Eady 2012)

Fact Sheet

Summary

Have you ever wondered what a cross between a Platyhelminthe and an Annelid would look like? Well I have an answer for you; Myzostomid worms. Myzostomids are tiny, soft-bodied marine worms that form symbiotic relationships with Echinoderms. Many have dorsal-ventrally flattened bodies, appearing to look like Platyhelminthes, however they also have parapodia and chaete; two morphological characteristics of Annelids. The large diversity of body forms in Myzostomids has lead to many controversial views on their position within the Metazoan phylogenetic tree.

Myzostomids occur in most oceans around the world. On a local scale, Myzostomids have been found in areas ranging from the intertidal zone to depths of more than 3000m. This webpage will focus on the internal anatomy and external morphology of a Myzostomid species that was found within the coral reef crest habitat of Heron Island; Myzostoma sp.