Notaulax occidentalis, commonly known as the yellow fanworm, is a species of feather duster worm found among coral reefs in the Caribbean and tropical Pacific[2][3] from depths of 2 to 21 meters.[4][5]
| Notaulax occidentalis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
| Clade: | Sedentaria |
| Order: | Sabellida |
| Family: | Sabellidae |
| Genus: | Notaulax |
| Species: | N. occidentalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Notaulax occidentalis Baird, 1865[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
editThe yellow fan worm builds a soft tube that is embedded in the reef substrate to which the worm is attached.[3] Although its body remains hidden in the tube, the organism can be recognized by its conspicuous, fan-shaped plume of feathery yellow tentacles, which it uses for both suspension feeding and respiration. The plume can reach a diameter of 5 cm.[3] Like other sabellids, N. occidentalis can rapidly withdraw its plume into the tube when disturbed.
Natural history
editThe yellow fan worm feeds on plankton or small organisms.[3] Like other polychaete tube worms, N. occidentalis reproduce sexually through epitoky.[2] Here, the sexually immature worm is modified or transformed into a sexually mature worm. In a behavior known as swarming, sexually mature males and females aggregate and shed gametes for fertilization once the females release a pheromone to initiate the process. Fertilized eggs develop into trochophores, or free-swimming larvae, which metamorphose into juveniles.[2]
References
edit- ↑ Read, G. (2009). "Notaulax occidentalis (Baird, 1865)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Notaulax occidentalis (Baird, 1865)". SeaLifeBase. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Notaulax occidentalis". Pictolife. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ↑ Dean, Harlan K (2009). Polychaetes and echiurans. Springer. pp. 181--191.
- ↑ "Notaulax occidentalis Yellow Fanworm". Reeflex. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
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