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<table border="1" cellspacing="0" align="right" cellpading="2"> | <table border="1" cellspacing="0" align="right" cellpading="2"> | ||
<tr><th align="center" bgcolor=pink>'''Shipworm'''</th></tr> | <tr><th align="center" bgcolor=pink>'''Shipworm'''</th></tr> | ||
| − | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>[[image:shipworm.jpg|none|300px|Teredo sp.]]</td></tr> |
| − | </td></tr> | ||
<tr><th align="center" bgcolor=pink>'''[[Scientific classification]]'''</th></tr> | <tr><th align="center" bgcolor=pink>'''[[Scientific classification]]'''</th></tr> | ||
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| − | '''Shipworms''' are not in fact [[worm]]s at all, but rather a peculiar variety of marine [[mollusk]] ([[Eulamellibranchiata]]). They bore into submerged [[wood]] | + | '''Shipworms''' are not in fact [[worm]]s at all, but rather a peculiar variety of marine [[mollusk]] ([[Eulamellibranchiata]]). They bore into submerged [[wood]], bacteria in a special organ called the gland of Deshayes enable them to digest [[cellulose]]. The shipworms belong to several [[genus|genera]] of which ''[[Teredo]]'' is the most commonly mentioned. |
Shipworms have slender worm-like forms, but possess the characteristic structures of [[bivalve]]s. The valves of the [[Animal shell|shell]] are small separate parts located at the anterior end of the worm, used for excavating the burrow. Shipworms do great amounts of damage to wooden hulls and marine piling, and have been the subject of much study to find methods to avoid their attacks. | Shipworms have slender worm-like forms, but possess the characteristic structures of [[bivalve]]s. The valves of the [[Animal shell|shell]] are small separate parts located at the anterior end of the worm, used for excavating the burrow. Shipworms do great amounts of damage to wooden hulls and marine piling, and have been the subject of much study to find methods to avoid their attacks. | ||
Revision as of 05:33, 2 April 2004
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Shipworms are not in fact worms at all, but rather a peculiar variety of marine mollusk (Eulamellibranchiata). They bore into submerged wood, bacteria in a special organ called the gland of Deshayes enable them to digest cellulose. The shipworms belong to several genera of which Teredo is the most commonly mentioned.
Shipworms have slender worm-like forms, but possess the characteristic structures of bivalves. The valves of the shell are small separate parts located at the anterior end of the worm, used for excavating the burrow. Shipworms do great amounts of damage to wooden hulls and marine piling, and have been the subject of much study to find methods to avoid their attacks.
