Christmas Tree Worms

Christmas Tree Worms are small, tube-building marine worms found in tropical oceans around the world, particularly in coral reef environments. These worms play a role in the reef ecosystem by providing habitat and food for other organisms. The crowns of these worms are actually specialized structures called radioles, which extend from their bodies and serve multiple purposes. They primarily function as respiratory organs for obtaining oxygen from the water. Additionally, the radioles are covered in cilia (tiny hair-like structures) that help the worm capture plankton and other small food particles from the surrounding water for feeding.

New Caledonia