Sea mice
A sea mouse is a worm from the class of polychaeta. This name he received because his body is covered with "hair", and the size of an adult individual is the same as that of a small rodent. Its Latin name is Aphrodita aculeata.
What it looks like
The worm grows up to 20 cm in length and up to 5 cm in width. The body is divided into 35-40 segments, each of which ends in black processes - parapodii. They help to move on the seabed and burrow into the sand.
On the "face" there are two pairs of jaws, with which the polychaete catches its prey.
The body of marine mice is covered with amazing bristles that resemble felt. They reflect even the faintest light and change color depending on the angle at which it falls.
Interesting!
TO interesting facts about mice can be attributed to the presence of marine life and how the sea mouse looks in the photo. Its cover, washed away from silt and dirt, shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow and sparkles under the rays of light.
If the rays go straight, the bristles turn red. If the light falls obliquely, the worm's “wool” glows blue, yellow or green.
Mouse hairs are not at all for beauty. They perform several important functions:
- Provide breathing.
- Protect his body.
- Help to bury in the sand.
- Serve as "home" for eggs.
- Scare away natural enemies, acquiring a red color.
The structure of the bristles resembles ordered cells. Scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have studied this phenomenon. They tried to find out if the bristle channels could be used to make nanowires. The experiment showed that in this way you can create a structure up to 2 cm in length.
Where he lives and what he eats
The sea mouse spends life at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in the northeast Atlantic. Can live at a depth of two kilometers. Chooses a muddy bottom, where you can bury in the sand for recreation or hunting.
Some marine mice prefer a vegetable diet. Others are predators.The latter use wool as bait. They burrow into the mud, leaving light reflecting on the surface of the bristles. "Lights" attract crustaceans, small mollusks, worms that Aphrodite hunts. A worm can eat its kindred if it is smaller.
Interesting!
Aphrodite Sea Mouse is not an exemplary parent. She can eat her offspring. Therefore, the larvae released from the eggs, quickly swim away from the negligent mother.
Habitating at depth makes it difficult to study the worm. But thanks to him, scientists have made a breakthrough in nanotechnology.
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