Glyceridae

Glyceridae is a family of polychaete worms.^[1] They are commonly referred to as beak-thrower worms or bloodworms. They are bright red, segmented, aquatic worms. The proboscis worm Glycera is sometimes called bloodworm.^[relevant?] The Glyceridae are epi- and infaunal polychaetes that prey upon small invertebrates. They are errant burrowers that build galleries of interconnected tubes to aid in catching their prey.

Glyceridae
Glycera alba with everted proboscis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Annelida
Clade:	Pleistoannelida
Subclass:	Errantia
Order:	Phyllodocida
Suborder:	Glyceriformia
Family:	Glyceridae Grube, 1850
Genera
Glycera Glycerella Hamiglycera Hemipodus Rhynchobolus Telake

Characteristics

• Pointy snout used for burrowing in sediment
• No septa in anterior part of bodies
• Rely on peristalsis to move
• Explosively evert pharynx into sediment, anchor position with prostomium and pull body forward.
• Eversible pharynx also used in prey capture: 4 poisonous fangs