Orange fireworm
Eurythoe complanata
It is a bristleworm. The body segments are narrower and the head is less massive looking than that of the bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata). Most often orange in color but can have shades of grey in body color. The Orange Fireworm is usually hiding under rocks and rubble, while the Bearded Fireworm is traveling over corals, rocks and other exposed surfaces.
DNA analysis and molecular divergence suggests that the true range of E. complanata is limited to the Atlantic Ocean, specifically from the Caribbean Sea to southern Brazil. Worms found on the coasts of Atlantic islands often show distinct morphological features of the parapodia, leading to debates about the species status. Most classifications include the coastal Atlantic island worms since the differences are small and generally resemble variations found in any species. Polychaetes identified as E. complanata around the globe actually consist of three or more closely related species sharing many morphological traits.
Habitat
The preferred food source for Eurythoe complanata is carrion, found in almost any ecosystem, allowing the worm to occupy a variety of habitats. Eurythoe complanata occurs in intertidal zones and on sandy beaches in tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean. This species thrives in warm, shallow waters, so it is found exclusively on coastlines. Eurythoe complanata is nocturnal and needs places to hide during the day to avoid predation and dessication. Individuals can be found under rocks, inside calcareous algae, inside corals or burrowed in soft sediments. Larval forms are free-floating and pelagic.
The marine fireworm, Eurythoe complanata, is known as a dangerous animal for humans because it induces skin inflammation through its small setae. Here, the inflammation-inducing substance was successfully isolated from the whole body using a methanolic extraction, and the inflammatory activity was determined using a bioassay. The structure was spectroscopically revealed to be a trimethylammonium with an unsaturated carbon chain and was named complanine. Complanine enhanced PKC activity in combination with TPA in vitro. This may explain the molecular mechanism behind its inflammation-inducing activity.
DNA analysis and molecular divergence suggests that the true range of E. complanata is limited to the Atlantic Ocean, specifically from the Caribbean Sea to southern Brazil. Worms found on the coasts of Atlantic islands often show distinct morphological features of the parapodia, leading to debates about the species status. Most classifications include the coastal Atlantic island worms since the differences are small and generally resemble variations found in any species. Polychaetes identified as E. complanata around the globe actually consist of three or more closely related species sharing many morphological traits.
Habitat
The preferred food source for Eurythoe complanata is carrion, found in almost any ecosystem, allowing the worm to occupy a variety of habitats. Eurythoe complanata occurs in intertidal zones and on sandy beaches in tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean. This species thrives in warm, shallow waters, so it is found exclusively on coastlines. Eurythoe complanata is nocturnal and needs places to hide during the day to avoid predation and dessication. Individuals can be found under rocks, inside calcareous algae, inside corals or burrowed in soft sediments. Larval forms are free-floating and pelagic.
The marine fireworm, Eurythoe complanata, is known as a dangerous animal for humans because it induces skin inflammation through its small setae. Here, the inflammation-inducing substance was successfully isolated from the whole body using a methanolic extraction, and the inflammatory activity was determined using a bioassay. The structure was spectroscopically revealed to be a trimethylammonium with an unsaturated carbon chain and was named complanine. Complanine enhanced PKC activity in combination with TPA in vitro. This may explain the molecular mechanism behind its inflammation-inducing activity.
