Scalibregma inflatum

Scalibregma inflatum, also known as T headed worm, is a burrowing marine polychaete. It is a cosmopolitan species that can be found from the Arctic to Antarctica, although most probably several species are confounded.^[1]

Scalibregma inflatum
Scalibregma inflatum under stereo microscope
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Annelida
Clade:	Pleistoannelida
Clade:	Sedentaria
Order:	Opheliida
Family:	Scalibregmatidae
Genus:	Scalibregma
Species:	S. inflatum
Binomial name
Scalibregma inflatum Rathke, 1843

Morphology

Up to 6 cm long with an orange body with 50–60 segments. Body is composed of a wide anterior part of segments 15–17 and a long slim posterior part. Prostomium rectangular shaped with two lateral horns making it appear as a T. peristomium without chaetae. Parapodia small and oval at first increasing in size from segments 16–18. Four pairs of branching gills dorsally on 2-5 segment with chaetae.^[2][3]

Ecology

Mainly found in muddy substrate, but can also be found in sand and between stones and shells. S. inflatum is a deposit feeder. During the spawning period S. inflatum undergoes epitoky.^[2][3]

Systematics

Scalibregma inflatum is found within the polychaete family Scalibregmatidae.^[4] The genus Scalibregma is composed of 15 different species.^[5]