Osedax priapus
Osedax priapus is a species of bathypelagic polychaetes that is reported to sustain itself on the bones of dead whales.
| Osedax priapus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Class: | Polychaeta |
| Family: | Siboglinidae |
| Genus: | Osedax |
| Species: | O. priapus |
| Binomial name | |
| Osedax priapus Rouse et al., 2014,[1] | |
Description
Unlike other species of Osedax, males of this species grow to a full size and can feed independently of females, thus demonstrating reversal of sexual size dimorphism.[1][2] They use their extensible trunk to inseminate females.[1]
References
- Rouse, G. W.; Wilson, N. G.; Worsaae, K.; Vrijenhoek, R. C. (2014). "A Dwarf Male Reversal in Bone-Eating Worms". Current Biology. 25 (2): 236–241. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2014.11.032. PMID 25496962.
- "Mega male bone worms discovered". Retrieved December 12, 2014.
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