Tomopteris

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Tomopteris

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Order: Aciculata
Family: Tomopteridae
Johnston, 1865
Genus: Tomopteris
Eschscholtz, 1825[1]
Species

Tomopteris elegans
Tomopteris helgolandica
Tomopteris pacifica
Tomopteris planctonis
Tomopteris nisseni
Tomopteris renata
Tomopteris cavalli
Tomopteris septentrionalis Steenstrup

Tomopteris (Neo-Latin from Greek meaning "a cut" + "wing" but taken to mean "fin")[2] is a genus of marine planktonic polychaete. If disturbed, some species are known to make a flurry of glowing sparks erupt from their parapodia. One species, Tomopteris nisseni, is one of the few marine creatures with yellow bioluminescence.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ ITIS Standard Report Page: Tomopteris
  2. ^ Definition: tomopteris from Online Medical Dictionary
  3. ^ Tomopteris picture