Lugworm

Description:

a large cigar-shaped polychaete with 17 setae-bearing segments . Excretion occurs at the back, which is usually the only portion visible above the sediment when the worm is buried. The lugworm can be distinguished from similar species by its size, body form and coloration, and the shape of its burrow. Many other segmented worms in local waters bear specialized structures like ornate gills, tentacles, or bristles that aid in their identification.

Habitat:

The range of A. cristata extends on the Atlantic coast of the U.S. from Cape Cod to Florida, throughout the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico . Lugworms reside in U-shaped burrows they excavate in undisturbed sandy or muddy sediments on protected beaches and tidal flats. The anterior end of the burrow becomes depressed as the worm ingests surface sediment in search of organic material on which it feeds. A mound of waste material and undigested sand is deposited at the opposite end of the burrow.

Notes:

Ecological Importance: Because it is an infaunal species, burrowing in and consuming the sediment, A. cristata is used as an indicator species for the presence and effects of environmental contaminants and pollutants reaching benthic marine habitats from sources such as coastal runoff and ship traffic .