Slime is the new black for the flabby bristle worm

<_o3a_wrapblock><_v3a_rect filled="f" id="Rectangle_x0020_1" _o3a_gfxdata="UEsDBBQABgAIAAAAIQC75UiUBQEAAB4CAAATAAAAW0NvbnRlbnRfVHlwZXNdLnhtbKSRvU7DMBSF dyTewfKKEqcMCKEmHfgZgaE8wMW+SSwc27JvS/v23KTJgkoXFsu+P+c7Ol5vDoMTe0zZBl/LVVlJ gV4HY31Xy4/tS3EvRSbwBlzwWMsjZrlprq/W22PELHjb51r2RPFBqax7HCCXIaLnThvSAMTP1KkI +gs6VLdVdad08ISeCho1ZLN+whZ2jsTzgcsnJwldluLxNDiyagkxOquB2Knae/OLUsyEkjenmdzb mG/YhlRnCWPnb8C898bRJGtQvEOiVxjYhtLOxs8AySiT4JuDystlVV4WPeM6tK3VaILeDZxIOSsu ti/jidNGNZ3/J08yC1dNv9v8AAAA//8DAFBLAwQUAAYACAAAACEArTA/8cEAAAAyAQAACwAAAF9y ZWxzLy5yZWxzhI/NCsIwEITvgu8Q9m7TehCRpr2I4FX0AdZk2wbbJGTj39ubi6AgeJtl2G9m6vYx jeJGka13CqqiBEFOe2Ndr+B03C3WIDihMzh6RwqexNA281l9oBFTfuLBBhaZ4ljBkFLYSMl6oAm5 8IFcdjofJ0z5jL0MqC/Yk1yW5UrGTwY0X0yxNwri3lQgjs+Qk/+zfddZTVuvrxO59CNCmoj3vCwj MfaUFOjRhrPHaN4Wv0VV5OYgm1p+LW1eAAAA//8DAFBLAwQUAAYACAAAACEA/LFvn60CAAAtBgAA HwAAAGNsaXBib2FyZC9kcmF3aW5ncy9kcmF3aW5nMS54bWysVNFO2zAUfZ+0f7D8DmnSAKUioK4b aBICREA8XxyniebYnu2GdF+/aydpO4aGtO0lsX3PPT4+vtdnF10jSMuNrZXMaHw4oYRLpoparjL6 +HB5MKPEOpAFCCV5Rjfc0ovzjx/OYL4yoKuaEWSQdg4ZrZzT8yiyrOIN2EOlucRYqUwDDqdmFRUG XpC5EVEymRxHDdSSnu+oPoMDsjb1X1AJxb7xYgmyBYuUgs33VwaNgv07M8xle2V0ru+MV85u2jtD 6iKj6JyEBi2i0RAYYDiNXmWtdgRdaRqPV2VJuowm03QaHyHXJqPTNEmOcRz4eOcI84BZfJpOEMAQ Ec9OjtPkaNixun2Hg1Vf3mFBob0gHOyJtNpLlO3vp46T5GQ6naSz6Xj8e86wXlaCk3jrhM8bbRg5 7ODg/zJgKx3m2lh3xVVD/CCjBhWFMoP22rpexwgJ51KXtRD9+qjKdXk4s+s+qWLjUc/4x6s2ChnR fqvZZY3012DdHRgsf1zERnK3+CmFeskoE7WmpFLmx+s1j8NSxAglL9hGGbXf12A4JeKrtBk9jdMU 6VyYpEcnCU7MfuR5PyLXzVIJrIagKgw93olxWBrVPClTLPyuGALJcG8U6Mw4WTqcYwi7lfHFIoyZ ajS4a5lr7Js4OOhte+iewOjBW4d1eaPyCjR/y+Ie25u8WDtV1oP/vZs+IKzL3UbwUOXBcy4L7+g9 ui2wkjLK5cFj7osJ7xgR+N1dy9ryXPua68PjvVlPGejlPS+xQX3rBIXheeJLYUgLaBowxqXrT2cr KHi/jD2ITTbUhH/QfEbYWnhCz1xi0Wy5B4IR+St3TzPgfSovS1S8TZ78SVifvM0IOyu5S25qqcxb BAJPNezc44P8wRj00Dd19OqhDJDhYfev8f78/CcAAAD//wMAUEsDBBQABgAIAAAAIQC2OwQiVAYA AAsaAAAaAAAAY2xpcGJvYXJkL3RoZW1lL3RoZW1lMS54bWzsWUtvGzcQvhfof1jsvbHeio3Iga1H 3MZOgkhJkSOlpXYZc5cLkrKjW5EcCxQomhY9NEBvPRRtAyRAL+mvcZuiTYH8hQ65D5ESVTtGChhB LMDYnf1mOJyZ/YbkXrn6IKbeEeaCsKTjVy9VfA8nExaQJOz4d0aDjy77npAoCRBlCe74cyz8q9sf fnAFbU0oSccM8WAU4Rh7YCgRW6jjR1KmWxsbYgJiJC6xFCfwbMp4jCTc8nAj4OgYBojpRq1SaW3E iCT+NliUylCfwr9ECiWYUD5UZrCXoBhGvzmdkgnW2OCwqhBiLrqUe0eIdnywGbDjEX4gfY8iIeFB x6/oP39j+8oG2sqVqFyja+gN9F+ulysEhzU9Jg/H5aCNRrPR2intawCVq7h+u9/qt0p7GoAmE5hp 5otps7m7udtr5lgDlF06bPfavXrVwhv26ys+7zTVz8JrUGa/sYIfDLoQRQuvQRm+uYJvNNq1bsPC a1CGb63g25WdXqNt4TUooiQ5XEFXmq16t5htCZkyuueEbzYbg3YtN75AQTWU1aWGmLJErqu1GN1n fAAABaRIksST8xRP0QRqsosoGXPi7ZMwgsJLUcIEiCu1yqBSh//q19BXOiJoCyNDW/kFnogVkfLH ExNOUtnxPwGrvgF5/eKn1y+eeScPn588/PXk0aOTh79khiytPZSEptarH77858ln3t/Pvn/1+Gs3 Xpj4P37+/PffvnIDYaaLELz85umfz5++/PaLv3587IDvcDQ24SMSY+HdwMfebRbDxHQIbM/xmL+Z xihCxNTYSUKBEqRGcdjvy8hC35gjihy4XWxH8C4HinEBr83uWw4PIz6TxGHxehRbwAPG6C7jzihc V2MZYR7NktA9OJ+ZuNsIHbnG7qLEym9/lgK3EpfJboQtN29RlEgU4gRLTz1jhxg7ZnePECuuB2TC mWBT6d0j3i4izpCMyNiqpoXSHokhL3OXg5BvKzYHd71dRl2z7uEjGwlvBaIO50eYWmG8hmYSxS6T IxRTM+D7SEYuJ4dzPjFxfSEh0yGmzOsHWAiXzk0O8zWSfh3oxZ32AzqPbSSX5NBlcx8xZiJ77LAb oTh1YYckiUzsx+IQShR5t5h0wQ+Y/Yaoe8gDStam+y7BVrpPZ4M7wKymS4sCUU9m3JHLa5hZ9Tuc 0ynCmmqA+C0+j0lyKrkv0Xrz/6V1INKX3z1xzOqiEvoOJ843am+Jxtfhlsm7y3hALj5399AsuYXh dVltYO+p+z11++88da97n98+YS84GuhbLRWzpbpeuMdr1+1TQulQzineF3rpLqAzBQMQKj29P8Xl Pi6N4FK9yTCAhQs50joeZ/JTIqNhhFJY31d9ZSQUuelQeCkTsOzXYqdthaez+IAF2Xa1WlVb04w8 BJILeaVZymGrITN0q73YgpXmtbeh3ioXDijdN3HCGMx2ou5wol0IVZD0xhyC5nBCz+yteLHp8OKy Ml+kasULcK3MCiydPFhwdfxmA1RACXZUiOJA5SlLdZFdncy3mel1wbQqANYRRQUsMr2pfF07PTW7 rNTOkGnLCaPcbCd0ZHQPExEKcF6dSnoWN94015uLlFruqVDo8aC0Fm60L/+XF+fNNegtcwNNTKag iXfc8Vv1JpTMBKUdfwrbfriMU6gdoZa8iIZwYDaRPHvhz8MsKReyh0SUBVyTTsYGMZGYe5TEHV9N v0wDTTSHaN+qNSCEC+vcJtDKRXMOkm4nGU+neCLNtBsSFensFhg+4wrnU61+frDSZDNI9zAKjr0x nfHbCEqs2a6qAAZEwOlPNYtmQOA4sySyRf0tNaacds3zRF1DmRzRNEJ5RzHJPINrKi/d0XdlDIy7 fM4QUCMkeSMch6rBmkG1umnZNTIf1nbd05VU5AzSXPRMi1VU13SzmDVC0QaWYnm+Jm94VYQYOM3s 8Bl1L1PuZsF1S+uEsktAwMv4ObruGRqC4dpiMMs15fEqDSvOzqV27ygmeIprZ2kSBuu3CrNLcSt7 hHM4EJ6r84PectWCaFqsK3WkXZ8mDlDqjcNqx4fPA3A+8QCu4AODD7KaktWUDK7gqwG0i+yov+Pn F4UEnmeSElMvJPUC0ygkjULSLCTNQtIqJC3f02fi8B1GHYf7XnHkDT0sPyLP1xb295vtfwEAAP// AwBQSwMEFAAGAAgAAAAhAJxmRkG7AAAAJAEAACoAAABjbGlwYm9hcmQvZHJhd2luZ3MvX3JlbHMv ZHJhd2luZzEueG1sLnJlbHOEj80KwjAQhO+C7xD2btJ6EJEmvYjQq9QHCMk2LTY/JFHs2xvoRUHw sjCz7DezTfuyM3liTJN3HGpaAUGnvJ6c4XDrL7sjkJSl03L2DjksmKAV201zxVnmcpTGKSRSKC5x GHMOJ8aSGtHKRH1AVzaDj1bmIqNhQaq7NMj2VXVg8ZMB4otJOs0hdroG0i+hJP9n+2GYFJ69elh0 +UcEy6UXFqCMBjMHSldnnTUtXYGJhn39Jt4AAAD//wMAUEsBAi0AFAAGAAgAAAAhALvlSJQFAQAA HgIAABMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFtDb250ZW50X1R5cGVzXS54bWxQSwECLQAUAAYACAAAACEA rTA/8cEAAAAyAQAACwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA2AQAAX3JlbHMvLnJlbHNQSwECLQAUAAYACAAAACEA /LFvn60CAAAtBgAAHwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgAgAAY2xpcGJvYXJkL2RyYXdpbmdzL2RyYXdpbmcx LnhtbFBLAQItABQABgAIAAAAIQC2OwQiVAYAAAsaAAAaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAoFAABjbGlwYm9h cmQvdGhlbWUvdGhlbWUxLnhtbFBLAQItABQABgAIAAAAIQCcZkZBuwAAACQBAAAqAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAJYLAABjbGlwYm9hcmQvZHJhd2luZ3MvX3JlbHMvZHJhd2luZzEueG1sLnJlbHNQSwUGAAAA AAUABQBnAQAAmQwAAAAA " strokecolor="#091723 [484]" strokeweight="1pt" style="position:absolute; margin-left:150px; margin-top:149px; width:222pt; height:147.75pt; z-index:251661312; v-text-anchor:middle">

Here in the benthic lab, Halloween season wouldn't be complete without a feature of one of Puget Sound's less-appealing inhabitants. With its "maggot-shaped" body covered in spikes and slime, the flabby bristle worm is not something you would want to cuddle with. But none of its weird quirks are without a purpose, and beneath all that goo lies a hard-working worm that plays an important role in the Puget Sound sediment ecosystem.

Could slime be the next utility fashion trend? Hey, the 90s are back... anything can happen.

Rattle my cage

The flabby bristle worm - I'll also refer to it by its less-repulsive scientific name, Flabelligera affinis - is a member of a rather bizarre family of marine segmented worms called the bristle cage worms. The "cage" refers to two fans of long whiskery hairs called chaetae that surround the worms' heads.

Bristle cage worms' short bodies are covered with bumps called papillae that secrete protective mucus. Some species of flabelligerids make just enough of a coating so that a bit of sand sticks to them for camouflage, but other species really lean into crud couture.

Rise and slime

F. affinis is one such member of the Slime Squad. Its stalked papillae may be microscopic but they are mighty, cranking out a thick mucus sheath that puts the "flab" in flabby bristle worm. The papillae work together with long hairs on each segment to structurally support the translucent sheath and make the worm look a bit like a Jell-o pincushion. Occasionally, bits of debris stick to the sheath as well, giving Swamp Thing vibes.

<_v3a_shape filled="f" id="Text_x0020_Box_x0020_2" _o3a_gfxdata="UEsDBBQABgAIAAAAIQC75UiUBQEAAB4CAAATAAAAW0NvbnRlbnRfVHlwZXNdLnhtbKSRvU7DMBSF dyTewfKKEqcMCKEmHfgZgaE8wMW+SSwc27JvS/v23KTJgkoXFsu+P+c7Ol5vDoMTe0zZBl/LVVlJ gV4HY31Xy4/tS3EvRSbwBlzwWMsjZrlprq/W22PELHjb51r2RPFBqax7HCCXIaLnThvSAMTP1KkI +gs6VLdVdad08ISeCho1ZLN+whZ2jsTzgcsnJwldluLxNDiyagkxOquB2Knae/OLUsyEkjenmdzb mG/YhlRnCWPnb8C898bRJGtQvEOiVxjYhtLOxs8AySiT4JuDystlVV4WPeM6tK3VaILeDZxIOSsu ti/jidNGNZ3/J08yC1dNv9v8AAAA//8DAFBLAwQUAAYACAAAACEArTA/8cEAAAAyAQAACwAAAF9y ZWxzLy5yZWxzhI/NCsIwEITvgu8Q9m7TehCRpr2I4FX0AdZk2wbbJGTj39ubi6AgeJtl2G9m6vYx jeJGka13CqqiBEFOe2Ndr+B03C3WIDihMzh6RwqexNA281l9oBFTfuLBBhaZ4ljBkFLYSMl6oAm5 8IFcdjofJ0z5jL0MqC/Yk1yW5UrGTwY0X0yxNwri3lQgjs+Qk/+zfddZTVuvrxO59CNCmoj3vCwj MfaUFOjRhrPHaN4Wv0VV5OYgm1p+LW1eAAAA//8DAFBLAwQUAAYACAAAACEAuf+mBGsEAABODwAA HwAAAGNsaXBib2FyZC9kcmF3aW5ncy9kcmF3aW5nMS54bWzsV11y2zYQfu9M77DD51iiZEm2lMgZ R4kymTqJx7IPAIEgiTEIsAD0l6deo9frSfoBlCxZdd1Jm77ZnqFA7GLx4dtd7PLN23WlaCmsk0aP k04rTUhobjKpi3Fydzs9OU/IeaYzpowW42QjXPL24uef3rBRYVldSk6woN2IjZPS+3rUbjteioq5 lqmFhiw3tmIer7ZoZ5atYLlS7W6aDtoVkzq52Jt6zzyjhZX/wpQy/F5kE6aXzMGk4qPDmS1Gxf+7 ZTbSy4+2ntXXNiDnX5bXlmQ2TsCcZhUoStpbwVYNr+2jVcXewDq3VdA3eU7rcTIcnne7MLUZJ73B adrDOJoTa08c8v55f3h2DgUOjf6gMzzrb/crvz5vgZcfnrcBkA0YDA4AujrA08u/nrh32ukP00FA 05z8NqB8Z9bUfeAgrCK/xiSiK/ra1VfwlSNtJiXThbi01qxKwTIXNBqywGqzXSRut7MLtuarzyYD y2zhTbT3Ywh8ODwb1db5j8JUFAbjxAru40ZseeV8g2+nEpkxU6lUdJLStIIL+91+XKD3kkp6YUnJ apycp+GvISgc+4PO4mLPpGrGwKJ0DJpw4rCHX8+iFwKR2SbMzPELNqwBQvCPDPZf8ciVAQKuZJ1Q aey347mghxyAJKEV8necuF8XzIqE1CcNBww7vR7M+fjS65+FULSHkvmhhGkOU+PEJ9QMJx5v6fbw l/BQLreMNXgDcuX8zG+UiIeOpwpurZi9iifB4GZnQ+lZzcMaV/Nr7mnJFGIkPdvyF3naa7wT+U7X u0Y30gw1rN9LL3N/rAefbCMPmlGORVvuowMsICpE6zgR+uRuhjvxG8jCqmBJ5DlipAkOnI95qclv apEzjkCdMCXnViZUM20cJtJuOk37eIb/XnoanpBKz8spq6RCYp9igpfMOhHdG6kS7H8wyt2B0VtZ CUdfxIpuTMX0I8TddACkfeANyHExHSHuoE48RgwGwVrgx19cidyP6JJyxebzDYEO55WgFUrDH7/9 7qiwQmjpSgphgljKyIqMioUnxCYtpZNzqPvSLIoSP4IKY17TRGhkVbBbW+GEXWJNMEkr6UtyphKU ibAXKtiC35M3JBEZDlnny9d0I4sSqD5Lbo3jpkYp4woeOlnUZHJif4u2ZjUynokWhXM1cIMtkhUr wCAWhxsfURY4CAw8H0OEgtfcjS+RBCaejaRpi1ieSwTLd1H8kqbNxfI8uZRblL2QX3etX1qviJuF 9cJtQkS/Z0uZ0VToleT3r74zwBeoM7qIl6UzSmahYgaXOFvMJ8puL+v+4HSy6wAeqb2kxVNpwUal kvp+ouCQbYOL6vvPTTg6TcnFe8MXFS7QphO3IpQto10pa4eSPwodrf2U7dzxcJOvVqsW2n7jUSGs 1KLFTfWSiT+8YLaOOBU6u2aW3TzVhnQ6L33IQ+f05AW3Zy+WZDSdoTw/9NILJ2b1DVo49FlREJpt DMKXT/voSzIKtl++4XP18P3iTwAAAP//AwBQSwMEFAAGAAgAAAAhALY7BCJUBgAACxoAABoAAABj bGlwYm9hcmQvdGhlbWUvdGhlbWUxLnhtbOxZS28bNxC+F+h/WOy9sd6KjciBrUfcxk6CSEmRI6Wl dhlzlwuSsqNbkRwLFCiaFj00QG89FG0DJEAv6a9xm6JNgfyFDrkPkRJVO0YKGEEswNid/WY4nJn9 huReufogpt4R5oKwpONXL1V8DycTFpAk7Ph3RoOPLvuekCgJEGUJ7vhzLPyr2x9+cAVtTShJxwzx YBThGHtgKBFbqONHUqZbGxtiAmIkLrEUJ/BsyniMJNzycCPg6BgGiOlGrVJpbcSIJP42WJTKUJ/C v0QKJZhQPlRmsJegGEa/OZ2SCdbY4LCqEGIuupR7R4h2fLAZsOMRfiB9jyIh4UHHr+g/f2P7ygba ypWoXKNr6A30X66XKwSHNT0mD8floI1Gs9HaKe1rAJWruH673+q3SnsagCYTmGnmi2mzubu522vm WAOUXTps99q9etXCG/brKz7vNNXPwmtQZr+xgh8MuhBFC69BGb65gm802rVuw8JrUIZvreDblZ1e o23hNSiiJDlcQVearXq3mG0JmTK654RvNhuDdi03vkBBNZTVpYaYskSuq7UY3Wd8AAAFpEiSxJPz FE/RBGqyiygZc+LtkzCCwktRwgSIK7XKoFKH/+rX0Fc6ImgLI0Nb+QWeiBWR8scTE05S2fE/Aau+ AXn94qfXL555Jw+fnzz89eTRo5OHv2SGLK09lISm1qsfvvznyWfe38++f/X4azdemPg/fv7899++ cgNhposQvPzm6Z/Pn7789ou/fnzsgO9wNDbhIxJj4d3Ax95tFsPEdAhsz/GYv5nGKELE1NhJQoES pEZx2O/LyELfmCOKHLhdbEfwLgeKcQGvze5bDg8jPpPEYfF6FFvAA8boLuPOKFxXYxlhHs2S0D04 n5m42wgducbuosTKb3+WArcSl8luhC03b1GUSBTiBEtPPWOHGDtmd48QK64HZMKZYFPp3SPeLiLO kIzI2KqmhdIeiSEvc5eDkG8rNgd3vV1GXbPu4SMbCW8Fog7nR5haYbyGZhLFLpMjFFMz4PtIRi4n h3M+MXF9ISHTIabM6wdYCJfOTQ7zNZJ+HejFnfYDOo9tJJfk0GVzHzFmInvssBuhOHVhhySJTOzH 4hBKFHm3mHTBD5j9hqh7yANK1qb7LsFWuk9ngzvArKZLiwJRT2bckctrmFn1O5zTKcKaaoD4LT6P SXIquS/RevP/pXUg0pffPXHM6qIS+g4nzjdqb4nG1+GWybvLeEAuPnf30Cy5heF1WW1g76n7PXX7 7zx1r3uf3z5hLzga6FstFbOlul64x2vX7VNC6VDOKd4XeukuoDMFAxAqPb0/xeU+Lo3gUr3JMICF CznSOh5n8lMio2GEUljfV31lJBS56VB4KROw7Ndip22Fp7P4gAXZdrVaVVvTjDwEkgt5pVnKYash M3SrvdiClea1t6HeKhcOKN03ccIYzHai7nCiXQhVkPTGHILmcELP7K14senw4rIyX6RqxQtwrcwK LJ08WHB1/GYDVEAJdlSI4kDlKUt1kV2dzLeZ6XXBtCoA1hFFBSwyval8XTs9Nbus1M6QacsJo9xs J3RkdA8TEQpwXp1KehY33jTXm4uUWu6pUOjxoLQWbrQv/5cX58016C1zA01MpqCJd9zxW/UmlMwE pR1/Ctt+uIxTqB2hlryIhnBgNpE8e+HPwywpF7KHRJQFXJNOxgYxkZh7lMQdX02/TANNNIdo36o1 IIQL69wm0MpFcw6SbicZT6d4Is20GxIV6ewWGD7jCudTrX5+sNJkM0j3MAqOvTGd8dsISqzZrqoA BkTA6U81i2ZA4DizJLJF/S01ppx2zfNEXUOZHNE0QnlHMck8g2sqL93Rd2UMjLt8zhBQIyR5IxyH qsGaQbW6adk1Mh/Wdt3TlVTkDNJc9EyLVVTXdLOYNULRBpZieb4mb3hVhBg4zezwGXUvU+5mwXVL 64SyS0DAy/g5uu4ZGoLh2mIwyzXl8SoNK87OpXbvKCZ4imtnaRIG67cKs0txK3uEczgQnqvzg95y 1YJoWqwrdaRdnyYOUOqNw2rHh88DcD7xAK7gA4MPspqS1ZQMruCrAbSL7Ki/4+cXhQSeZ5ISUy8k 9QLTKCSNQtIsJM1C0iokLd/TZ+LwHUYdh/teceQNPSw/Is/XFvb3m+1/AQAA//8DAFBLAwQUAAYA CAAAACEAUBPmEOYAAADGAQAAKgAAAGNsaXBib2FyZC9kcmF3aW5ncy9fcmVscy9kcmF3aW5nMS54 bWwucmVsc6yQwWrDMAxA74P9g9F9dtLDGKNOL92gh11G9wHCURLTWDK2t7R/P7MytkJhl10EktDT k9abY5jVB6XshS20ugFF7KT3PFp42z/fPYDKBbnHWZgsnCjDpru9Wb/SjKUO5cnHrCqFs4WplPho THYTBcxaInHtDJIClpqm0UR0BxzJrJrm3qTfDOgumGrXW0i7fgVqf4p1899sGQbvaCvuPRCXKytM qV5UgZhGKha0PlfOsdXVFcx1jfY/NaZ6UJo9H35UlmXRGCcpEjB5Ju0kfHdfpK/3Px0LJcYvQ3Px /e4TAAD//wMAUEsBAi0AFAAGAAgAAAAhALvlSJQFAQAAHgIAABMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFtD b250ZW50X1R5cGVzXS54bWxQSwECLQAUAAYACAAAACEArTA/8cEAAAAyAQAACwAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAA2AQAAX3JlbHMvLnJlbHNQSwECLQAUAAYACAAAACEAuf+mBGsEAABODwAAHwAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAgAgAAY2xpcGJvYXJkL2RyYXdpbmdzL2RyYXdpbmcxLnhtbFBLAQItABQABgAIAAAAIQC2OwQi VAYAAAsaAAAaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMgGAABjbGlwYm9hcmQvdGhlbWUvdGhlbWUxLnhtbFBLAQIt ABQABgAIAAAAIQBQE+YQ5gAAAMYBAAAqAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFQNAABjbGlwYm9hcmQvZHJhd2lu Z3MvX3JlbHMvZHJhd2luZzEueG1sLnJlbHNQSwUGAAAAAAUABQBnAQAAgg4AAAAA " stroked="f" style="position:absolute; margin-left:547px; margin-top:274px; width:461.4pt; height:44.25pt; z-index:251669504; v-text-anchor:top" type="#_x0000_t202">

Form follows function

A camo jacket made of slime is a wise wardrobe choice if your soft, vulnerable body is a tasty treat for passing fish. Bristle cage worms can crawl, but they can't outrun many predators at their caterpillar speeds. Instead, they prefer to keep calm and slime on under rocks or in crevices, which they grip onto with hooked hairs on their hind ends.

Head to toe

Cage worms' front ends aren't encased in the slime cocoon, but they do have their fierce headwear, and their heads are completely retractable into their first few body segments. Double head protection is crucial because these worms have a lot going on in the noggin department.

F. affinis has three pairs of large, pigmented eyes which are more complex than the average marine worm's small, simple eyes, and have been the focus of scientific research into their structure. Their heads also have branchiae - or gills - that help with respiration. And last but not least, two frilly feeding palps on the head reach out and gather particles of detritus (dead organic matter), algae, and bacteria from the sediment surface. Surface deposit feeders like F. affinisare important because they help "resurrect" the dead by cycling nutrients back into the Puget Sound food web.

<_v3a_shape id="_x0000_s1028" _o3a_gfxdata="UEsDBBQABgAIAAAAIQC75UiUBQEAAB4CAAATAAAAW0NvbnRlbnRfVHlwZXNdLnhtbKSRvU7DMBSF dyTewfKKEqcMCKEmHfgZgaE8wMW+SSwc27JvS/v23KTJgkoXFsu+P+c7Ol5vDoMTe0zZBl/LVVlJ gV4HY31Xy4/tS3EvRSbwBlzwWMsjZrlprq/W22PELHjb51r2RPFBqax7HCCXIaLnThvSAMTP1KkI +gs6VLdVdad08ISeCho1ZLN+whZ2jsTzgcsnJwldluLxNDiyagkxOquB2Knae/OLUsyEkjenmdzb mG/YhlRnCWPnb8C898bRJGtQvEOiVxjYhtLOxs8AySiT4JuDystlVV4WPeM6tK3VaILeDZxIOSsu ti/jidNGNZ3/J08yC1dNv9v8AAAA//8DAFBLAwQUAAYACAAAACEArTA/8cEAAAAyAQAACwAAAF9y ZWxzLy5yZWxzhI/NCsIwEITvgu8Q9m7TehCRpr2I4FX0AdZk2wbbJGTj39ubi6AgeJtl2G9m6vYx jeJGka13CqqiBEFOe2Ndr+B03C3WIDihMzh6RwqexNA281l9oBFTfuLBBhaZ4ljBkFLYSMl6oAm5 8IFcdjofJ0z5jL0MqC/Yk1yW5UrGTwY0X0yxNwri3lQgjs+Qk/+zfddZTVuvrxO59CNCmoj3vCwj MfaUFOjRhrPHaN4Wv0VV5OYgm1p+LW1eAAAA//8DAFBLAwQUAAYACAAAACEAWOhh5HcDAAB/CgAA HwAAAGNsaXBib2FyZC9kcmF3aW5ncy9kcmF3aW5nMS54bWzsVtuO0zAQfUfiHyw/s9ukN7YVWdQt FCGtSrVdhHicOk5j4djGdm/79YydpNstCCQub6hSOvaMj4/PzDh59XpfSbLl1gmtMppeJpRwxXQu 1DqjH+9nF1eUOA8qB6kVz+iBO/r6+vmzVzBeWzClYAQRlBtDRkvvzbjTcazkFbhLbbhCX6FtBR6H dt3JLewQuZKdbpIMOxUIRa8fod6AB7Kx4jegpGZfeD4FtQWHkJKNT2cajpL9OTKM1fadNUuzsIE5 m28Xlog8o6icggolop3G0YThsHO2av0IsC9sFeJ1UZB9Rvtpr3c1QKxDRntptzvqJTUe33vCMKB7 NeiPhhjAMKKfDF4OB82G5YdfQLDy7c9BkGZNB40Tis4Egmr7/ZnTq9Go3+110/bs94Hmjd6T9KhC WEX8HiexvsJsFKPFco2Of0mG4wlgbKzz77iuSDAyajnzsdZge+t8TaMNCcdzWop8JqQMg+CYSku2 IDO6K4XnDfEnUVJFXXRYVQOGGaTQHsrvl1G6cPr8EIJX+I9yWI2MMIfOsJnAvW7B+QVY7CGcxG70 H/BRSL3LKJPCUFJq+3A+F+KwntFDyQ57MaPu6wYsp0S+Vy5C+dawrbFqDbWpphpPh6lDFtHEva2X rVlYXX3SNp+EXdAFiuFeGfWtOfU4Qgc2OOOTSbSZrgz4W7U02Gpp1Dtoeb//BNY0mfBYI3O9LMHw HyWkjo0pMZONR3WbbNXaBYd0fukPkqPomKv4QFErsLeRBBp3wagx2A0vGmvhXZ3S2FMxUSfeSeHP 49IkOQmNAbiqKVkboi1uLCFcllxdfFyimA8ZHeEqgrdYLcCTmnF2vTpWVr8/6A8nPyotXhRYr3Wh 4nnBC0X8wfACGN4wU5BiZQUlBpR2OJF0k1kywGf49ZNeeKJXeFbOoBIyXCY4wUqwjsd0Ruk4/ANQ 5k5A70XFHZnzHbnTFagnjLvJEJkOkG9g3vuOcYqvnqeMUXvUO8jur8lMwopLKdbcAoGiEEo4EroP sxgCY3Z+maKmSk6b/3+KjkX1ZynSiqzAKmCSu0uyKLXXZHUgS49lrF4QMQe/sVjKzr8g0+nFzeeL +fQsgVzl4V68+99lZ637b7vsUfbYS3jFhr46vsU2ji/NHV5Q9Vuvfs1hRPhQ6Jx9esWlzadi+L47 HV9/AwAA//8DAFBLAwQUAAYACAAAACEAtjsEIlQGAAALGgAAGgAAAGNsaXBib2FyZC90aGVtZS90 aGVtZTEueG1s7FlLbxs3EL4X6H9Y7L2x3oqNyIGtR9zGToJISZEjpaV2GXOXC5Kyo1uRHAsUKJoW PTRAbz0UbQMkQC/pr3Gbok2B/IUOuQ+RElU7RgoYQSzA2J39Zjicmf2G5F65+iCm3hHmgrCk41cv VXwPJxMWkCTs+HdGg48u+56QKAkQZQnu+HMs/KvbH35wBW1NKEnHDPFgFOEYe2AoEVuo40dSplsb G2ICYiQusRQn8GzKeIwk3PJwI+DoGAaI6UatUmltxIgk/jZYlMpQn8K/RAolmFA+VGawl6AYRr85 nZIJ1tjgsKoQYi66lHtHiHZ8sBmw4xF+IH2PIiHhQcev6D9/Y/vKBtrKlahco2voDfRfrpcrBIc1 PSYPx+WgjUaz0dop7WsAlau4frvf6rdKexqAJhOYaeaLabO5u7nba+ZYA5RdOmz32r161cIb9usr Pu801c/Ca1Bmv7GCHwy6EEULr0EZvrmCbzTatW7DwmtQhm+t4NuVnV6jbeE1KKIkOVxBV5qtereY bQmZMrrnhG82G4N2LTe+QEE1lNWlhpiyRK6rtRjdZ3wAAAWkSJLEk/MUT9EEarKLKBlz4u2TMILC S1HCBIgrtcqgUof/6tfQVzoiaAsjQ1v5BZ6IFZHyxxMTTlLZ8T8Bq74Bef3ip9cvnnknD5+fPPz1 5NGjk4e/ZIYsrT2UhKbWqx++/OfJZ97fz75/9fhrN16Y+D9+/vz3375yA2GmixC8/Obpn8+fvvz2 i79+fOyA73A0NuEjEmPh3cDH3m0Ww8R0CGzP8Zi/mcYoQsTU2ElCgRKkRnHY78vIQt+YI4ocuF1s R/AuB4pxAa/N7lsODyM+k8Rh8XoUW8ADxugu484oXFdjGWEezZLQPTifmbjbCB25xu6ixMpvf5YC txKXyW6ELTdvUZRIFOIES089Y4cYO2Z3jxArrgdkwplgU+ndI94uIs6QjMjYqqaF0h6JIS9zl4OQ bys2B3e9XUZds+7hIxsJbwWiDudHmFphvIZmEsUukyMUUzPg+0hGLieHcz4xcX0hIdMhpszrB1gI l85NDvM1kn4d6MWd9gM6j20kl+TQZXMfMWYie+ywG6E4dWGHJIlM7MfiEEoUebeYdMEPmP2GqHvI A0rWpvsuwVa6T2eDO8CspkuLAlFPZtyRy2uYWfU7nNMpwppqgPgtPo9Jciq5L9F68/+ldSDSl989 cczqohL6DifON2pvicbX4ZbJu8t4QC4+d/fQLLmF4XVZbWDvqfs9dfvvPHWve5/fPmEvOBroWy0V s6W6XrjHa9ftU0LpUM4p3hd66S6gMwUDECo9vT/F5T4ujeBSvckwgIULOdI6HmfyUyKjYYRSWN9X fWUkFLnpUHgpE7Ds12KnbYWns/iABdl2tVpVW9OMPASSC3mlWcphqyEzdKu92IKV5rW3od4qFw4o 3TdxwhjMdqLucKJdCFWQ9MYcguZwQs/srXix6fDisjJfpGrFC3CtzAosnTxYcHX8ZgNUQAl2VIji QOUpS3WRXZ3Mt5npdcG0KgDWEUUFLDK9qXxdOz01u6zUzpBpywmj3GwndGR0DxMRCnBenUp6Fjfe NNebi5Ra7qlQ6PGgtBZutC//lxfnzTXoLXMDTUymoIl33PFb9SaUzASlHX8K2364jFOoHaGWvIiG cGA2kTx74c/DLCkXsodElAVck07GBjGRmHuUxB1fTb9MA000h2jfqjUghAvr3CbQykVzDpJuJxlP p3gizbQbEhXp7BYYPuMK51Otfn6w0mQzSPcwCo69MZ3x2whKrNmuqgAGRMDpTzWLZkDgOLMkskX9 LTWmnHbN80RdQ5kc0TRCeUcxyTyDayov3dF3ZQyMu3zOEFAjJHkjHIeqwZpBtbpp2TUyH9Z23dOV VOQM0lz0TItVVNd0s5g1QtEGlmJ5viZveFWEGDjN7PAZdS9T7mbBdUvrhLJLQMDL+Dm67hkaguHa YjDLNeXxKg0rzs6ldu8oJniKa2dpEgbrtwqzS3Ere4RzOBCeq/OD3nLVgmharCt1pF2fJg5Q6o3D aseHzwNwPvEAruADgw+ympLVlAyu4KsBtIvsqL/j5xeFBJ5nkhJTLyT1AtMoJI1C0iwkzULSKiQt 39Nn4vAdRh2H+15x5A09LD8iz9cW9veb7X8BAAD//wMAUEsDBBQABgAIAAAAIQCcZkZBuwAAACQB AAAqAAAAY2xpcGJvYXJkL2RyYXdpbmdzL19yZWxzL2RyYXdpbmcxLnhtbC5yZWxzhI/NCsIwEITv gu8Q9m7SehCRJr2I0KvUBwjJNi02PyRR7Nsb6EVB8LIws+w3s037sjN5YkyTdxxqWgFBp7yenOFw 6y+7I5CUpdNy9g45LJigFdtNc8VZ5nKUxikkUigucRhzDifGkhrRykR9QFc2g49W5iKjYUGquzTI 9lV1YPGTAeKLSTrNIXa6BtIvoST/Z/thmBSevXpYdPlHBMulFxagjAYzB0pXZ501LV2BiYZ9/Sbe AAAA//8DAFBLAQItABQABgAIAAAAIQC75UiUBQEAAB4CAAATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABbQ29u dGVudF9UeXBlc10ueG1sUEsBAi0AFAAGAAgAAAAhAK0wP/HBAAAAMgEAAAsAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA NgEAAF9yZWxzLy5yZWxzUEsBAi0AFAAGAAgAAAAhAFjoYeR3AwAAfwoAAB8AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA IAIAAGNsaXBib2FyZC9kcmF3aW5ncy9kcmF3aW5nMS54bWxQSwECLQAUAAYACAAAACEAtjsEIlQG AAALGgAAGgAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADUBQAAY2xpcGJvYXJkL3RoZW1lL3RoZW1lMS54bWxQSwECLQAU AAYACAAAACEAnGZGQbsAAAAkAQAAKgAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgDAAAY2xpcGJvYXJkL2RyYXdpbmdz L19yZWxzL2RyYXdpbmcxLnhtbC5yZWxzUEsFBgAAAAAFAAUAZwEAAGMNAAAAAA== " stroked="f" style="position:absolute; margin-left:338px; margin-top:232px; width:224.8pt; height:33.5pt; z-index:251671552; v-text-anchor:top" type="#_x0000_t202"> <_v3a_textbox inset="0,0,0,0">

Taxonomy terrors

F. affinis has long been thought of as a cosmopolitan species, meaning it occurs in oceans all over the world, including the Pacific, the Atlantic, and even the Arctic, at depths ranging from the intertidal to the deep sea… but true cosmopolitan species are rare.

F. affinis was once believed to be the only species of its genus on the west coast of North America (although it was sometimes referred to by another name, F. infundibularis), but recent genetic studies have shown that two distinct species are present on the west coast, possibly distinguished by depth preference.

What does this all mean? It is likely that F. affinis is actually a complex, or group, of species that share similar characteristics, meaning that the true identity of our strange little friend in Puget Sound could be a mystery. I guess only slime will tell.

Critter of the Month

Dany is a benthic taxonomist, a scientist who identifies and counts the sediment-dwelling organisms in our samples as part of our Marine Sediment Monitoring Program. We track the numbers and types of species we see to detect changes over time and understand the health of Puget Sound.

Dany shares her discoveries by bringing us a benthic Critter of the Month. These posts will give you a peek into the life of Puget Sound's least-known inhabitants. We'll share details on identification, habitat, life history, and the role each critter plays in the sediment community. Can't get enough benthos? Check out our Puget Sound Benthos Toolbox story map for photos, taxonomic tools, and more.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.