Antillesoma facts for kids

Antillesoma is a special group, called a genus, of animals known as peanut worms. These worms are part of the Phascolosomatidae family. Scientists Stephen and Edmonds first described Antillesoma in 1973.

What are Peanut Worms?

Peanut worms, or Sipuncula, are a type of marine worm. They live in the ocean, often burrowing in sand or mud. They can also be found in cracks in rocks or empty shells.

These worms get their name because some of them can pull their front part, called the introvert, into their body. When they do this, they look a bit like a shelled peanut!

Peanut worms are not related to earthworms. They are a unique group of animals. They have a soft, unsegmented body, meaning it's not divided into rings like an earthworm's body.

The Antillesoma Genus

A genus is a way scientists group living things that are closely related. Antillesoma is a genus within the larger family of Phascolosomatidae. This family includes many different kinds of peanut worms.

Scientists use a system to name and classify animals. This helps them understand how different species are related to each other. The name Antillesoma helps us know it's a specific group of peanut worms.

Species in Antillesoma

Currently, there is only one known species in the Antillesoma genus. This means it is a monotypic genus.

• Antillesoma antillarum (Grube, 1858)

This species was first described by a scientist named Grube in 1858. The name antillarum likely refers to the Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, where this worm might have been found.

See also

In Spanish: Antillesoma para niños