Cephalodiscus is a small genus of sessile hemichordates belonging to the class Pterobranchia. These colonial, tube-dwelling marine organisms are known for their unique lifestyle, in which individuals live within secreted tubular structures attached to rocky or deep-sea substrates. Each zooid possesses a set of feathery arms used for filter feeding. Although they are relatively simple […]
Rhabdopleura belongs to the class Pterobranchia and represents one of the simplest living hemichordates. It lives in colonies on hard marine substrates and secretes delicate tubes, called coenecia, in which individual zooids reside. Each zooid extends its tentaculated arms to filter feed, capturing suspended particles from the surrounding water. Because it shares important features with
Saccoglossus is a genus of acorn worms belonging to the class Enteropneusta under the phylum Hemichordata. These worms live in shallow marine habitats, where they burrow through sandy or muddy substrates while feeding on organic particles. They play an important role in sediment turnover and nutrient recycling. Because Saccoglossus exhibits key hemichordate characteristics—such as the
Balanoglossus is a genus of acorn worms belonging to the phylum Hemichordata and the class Enteropneusta. These marine worms live in shallow coastal environments, where they burrow into sandy or muddy substrates and feed on organic matter. Because they display a clear division of the body into proboscis, collar, and trunk, Balanoglossus helps scientists understand
