Arenicola cristata
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| Arenicola cristata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
| Clade: | Sedentaria |
| Clade: | Maldanomorpha |
| Family: | Arenicolidae |
| Genus: | Arenicola |
| Species: | A. cristata |
| Binomial name | |
| Arenicola cristata Stimpson, 1856 | |
Arenicola cristata, commonly known as the American lugworm, is a species of marine annelid in the lugworm family, Arenicolidae.[1]
Arenicola cristata has a vermiform body that can reach up to 30 cm (12 in) long and 2.5 cm (1 in) wide. The firm and sturdy body is thick in the front with a tapering head and posterior.[2] The body can be green, black, or red.[2][3] The head lacks appendages and eyes. The mouth has a bulbous proboscis covered with fingerlike projections.[2] The body can be divided into three main regions. The front region is the most robust and muscular with setae hooks. The central region is covered in red or black branching branchiae. The final section is the least developed.[3]