To describe this polychaete, one simply must use jazz hands — it is the only way to capture this deep-sea worm’s dazzle! According to our friend Leo at Natural World Facts, the species name means many bristles. Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia covered in bristles called chaetae. Some worms are bioluminescent, but this sassy sparkler has protein structures in the bristles that make them iridescent. Polychaetes play a vital role throughout our global Ocean, from

1.5K views · 49 reactions | Polychaetes!  . . . #polychaete #marineworm #worm #eggcase #beachfind #marinelife #fishguyphotos | Fish Guy Photos | Facebook

This marine polychaete larva looks like an alien, but it’s a real-life ocean drifter. With intricate bristles and translucent beauty, it’s a glimpse into the bizarre world of planktonic life 🌊 #science #microscopy #biology | Science into Images