tiki Ryan Photographic - Urechidae - Innkeepers


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Family Urechidae

The family Urechidae contains 4 species in one genus. They were originally placed in their own phylum because they lacked segmentation. Subsequent genetic analysis placed the echiurans in the Annelida.

They live in U-shaped burrows in muddy substrates, feeding mostly on detritus. They make a mucus net and then draw oxygenated water into their burrow through peristaltic waves. When the net is full they ingest the trapped particles and the net and then make a new one. Perhaps because the water in the burrow is always oxygenated their burrows are often home to a variety of commensals - hence their common name of "Innkeepers".


Urechis caupo Innkeeper

Urechis caupo Innkeeper, captive in artifical burrow

Urechis caupo Innkeeper, captive in artifical burrow


Invertebrates

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