Bristle worms are marine creatures that belong to the class Polychaeta, which includes over 10,000 species. They are called “bristle worms” because of the numerous bristle-like appendages, known as setae, that run along their body. These setae can be used for locomotion and defense. #worms #ocean #marinelife | Critter Hunter

This marine polychaete larva looks like an alien, but it’s a real-life ocean drifter. With intricate bristles and translucent beauty, it’s a glimpse into the bizarre world of planktonic life 🌊 #science #microscopy #biology | Science into Images

To describe this polychaete, one simply must use jazz hands — it is the only way to capture this deep-sea worm’s dazzle! According to our friend Leo at Natural World Facts, the species name means many bristles. Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia covered in bristles called chaetae. Some worms are bioluminescent, but this sassy sparkler has protein structures in the bristles that make them iridescent. Polychaetes play a vital role throughout our global Ocean, from