Phylum Cactus Worms or Penis Worms priapulida

by: Jessa Mercado

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Grace Ormeneta

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Etymology
From the mythical god, Priapos, who symbolized the regenerating power of the male gender

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Fossil Record
Ottoia Prolifica - a primitive Priapulid worm
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Burgess Shale lived in a Ushaped burrow that is constructed in the 2/28/13 substrate

Characteristics

17 living species & 11 fossil species 0.5mm to 300mm long Small, yellow or brown, cylindrical worm carnivorous worms
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Characteristics

Bilaterally symmetrical and vermiform Coelomate or pseudocoelomate Complete gut with mouth and anus
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Characteristics

Sexual and gonochoristic Feed on other marine worms Marine and benthic unsegmented
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Organ Systems
Respiratory System

mostly none haemerythin

Excretory System

excretion via protonephridia

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Organ Systems
Circulatory System

none but contraction of body wall circulate fluids in body cavity fluid contains blood cells and phagocytes

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Organ Systems
Nervous System

contains several ganglia the cord governing the nervous system runs down the front area of the body (mid-ventral)

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Organ Systems
Digestive System

complete digestive tract feed on soft bodied inverts such as sand worms, bacteria and other microorganisms some species are suspension feeders
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contains microvilli to improve

Reproduction

separate sexes and there is normally only one ovary or testis external fertilization the larvae form of cactus worms are protected by cuticle plates as they grow undergo several moltings
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free swimming larva

Body Plan
Divided into three body regions:

Head Trunk Caudal appendages

trun k

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Body Plan
Head/Proboscis

locomotion & feeding has adhesive tubules used to capture prey has scalids surrounding the
trun k

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Body Plan
Trunk

covered with tubercles and spines 30-100 superficial rings

trun k

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Body Plan
Caudal Appendages

hollow probably a respiratory organ also chemoreceptor

trun k

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Body Plan

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Body Plan

the epidermis is supported by circular and longitudinal muscles which lies within it coelom acts as a hydrostatic skeleton

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Did you know?

Priapulids have great difficulty burrowing back into the mud after getting unattached.

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Species
Priapulus caudatus

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Species
Priapulopsis bicaudatus

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Species
Halicryptus spinulusos

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Life Cycle

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