Antarctic Giant Ribbon Worm
The Antarctic giant ribbon worm (Parborlasia corrugatus) is a large, pink or orange ribbon worm up to two meters long that is one of the commonest scavengers and predators on the Antarctic seafloor.
The Antarctic giant ribbon worm (Parborlasia corrugatus) is a large, pink or orange ribbon worm up to two meters long that is one of the commonest scavengers and predators on the Antarctic seafloor.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Antarctic Giant Ribbon Worm in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Lophotrochozoa lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
A Top Scavenger of the Southern Ocean
The worm is abundant around Antarctica and feeds on dead animals, sponges and other invertebrates. It is found in huge numbers in the shallows near McMurdo Station.
Chemical Protection
Its skin releases toxic, bad-tasting compounds that deter fish and sea stars, which allow it to scavenge in the open without being eaten.
Slow in the Cold
Like many Antarctic animals it grows slowly and has a low metabolic rate adapted to water at about −1.8 °C. See Ocellated Icefish.
Antarctic Giant Ribbon Worm at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Parborlasia corrugatus |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Nemertea |
| Class | Pilidiophora |
| Order | Heteronemertea |
| Family | Lineidae |
| Field Guide group | Lophotrochozoa: Worms, Shells & Allies |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Thick pinkish worm up to 2 m long that scavenges the Antarctic seafloor; everts a proboscis to catch prey and coats itself in acidic, toxic mucus. |
| Phylum | Nemertea |
| Length | Up to about 2 meters |
See Also
- Ocellated Icefish — another Antarctic specialist
- Bootlace Worm — a ribbon worm