Osedax [Osedax]

Description

Osedax, also known as 'bone-eating worms', is a genus of deep-sea polychaete worms that specialize in decomposing the bones of whale carcasses on the seafloor. These worms have a root-like structure that penetrates the bone to access lipids, which are then metabolized by symbiotic bacteria. Osedax lacks a mouth and gut, illustrating a highly specialized form of nutrition.

Species

Bone-eating snot flower worm [Osedax mucofloris]

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Ruby Osedax [Osedax rubiplumus]

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Greenbone Worm [Osedax roseus]

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Yellow-Patch Bone Worm [Osedax yellowpatch]

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Taxonomy