Milky Ribbon Worms (Cerebratulus) with Tidepool Tim of Gulf of Maine, Inc.

Learn about this unique nemertean worm that can be found in tidal mud and sand. Milky Ribbonworms can reach 3 or 4 feet in length and have an interesting proboscis for feeding. See two specimens collected by Tidepool Tim of Gulf of Maine, Inc. Biological supply.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• milky ribbonworm
• cerebratulus
• nemertean worm
• tidepool tim
• gulf of maine
• inc. biological supply
• lab specimen
• marine worms
• marine life
• science supply
• intertidal specimens

[specimensupply]

Hey thanks for the info. I learned a lot. Most of my work is with lower level students ( elem and hs kids) so my apologies. They lock on to the idea that the worm is 'flat'. Good stuff though I am always happy to learn more. This video is actually of a smaller specimen than we ordinarily see. I have collected some of these milky ribbonworms up to 4' long ! They are truly an awe inspiring creature and I am thrilled each time I encounter them. Cheers! TPTim

[scaplins]

@scaplins Interestingly the proboscis is not connected to the digestive tract, and is a feature completely unique to the Nemertea. Most heteronemerteans, Cerebratelus included, eat annelids (maybe even Nereis!). They actually just swallow their prey whole after stunning it by wrapping their toxin producing proboscis around it.

There are other nemerteans (hoplonemerteans) that have a stylet tip on the end of their proboscis that they use to stab their prey before sucking out the contents!

[scaplins]

Nice video. But they are NOT flatworms. They are nemerteans, which is a completely separate phylum from flatworms.

You found some lovely specimens. Cerebratelus is a heteronemertean. The slit that you observed on their underside is in fact their mouth. They have a proboscis pore that is usually located anterior to the mouth. 

[AcanLord]

i`v seldom encountered flatworms like these before.

interesting video!

[MayhemProductionzX]

cool