Many marine worms (Annelids) live in the waters of the deep sea. One, named the green bomber worm lives as deep as 3,000 meters (1.9 miles) beneath the surface. It’s dark that deep in the ocean with only the occasional light from deep sea creatures, called bioluminescence.
The green bomber worm, Swima bombiviridis, is a segmented worm that releases tiny fluid filled sacs that glow in the dark. The sacs are modified gill parts near its head. Researchers think that, when threatened by a predator, the worm drops this glowing “bomb” to distract the predator. The researchers observed worms swimming backwards after dropping the “bomb.”
Video about the worm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4nLstCR0AI
Read about Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s research on bioluminescence: http://www.mbari.org/expeditions/Bioluminescence2012/logbook/day3.htm
Read about other animals that are bioluminescent: http://siobiolum.ucsd.edu/Biolum_q&a.html
Watch the video Annelids: http://shapeoflife.org/video/phyla/annelids-powerful-and-capable-worms
