This image shows one of three newly discovered North Atlantic deep sea acorn worms–Purple species–recently captured by scientists from deep in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. These worms are members of the family Torquaratoridae. DNA analysis conducted by Karen Osborn of the Department of Invertebrate Zoology of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History confirmed their identity. The worms have no eyes and no tail but manage to crawl along the sea floor harvesting food that has fallen from the surface. They were captured last year using a remotely operated vehicle launched from the RRS James Cook. Click here to read more
Image courtesy David Shale
