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Worms Found in Strange Disks
Scientists have discovered a new species of marine worm in the depths of the Indian Ocean, characterized by disc-like structures attached beneath their bodies, whose function remains unclear to this day. This worm was found during research expeditions in 2021 and 2022 at depths between 467 and 674 meters near Christmas and Cocos Islands. The creatures belong to the "Spaghetti Worm" group and are known for possessing long, thread-like tentacles used to gather food, hiding in tubes that protect them within the sediments. Histological examinations and DNA analyses showed that they differ from known species, leading to their classification into a new genus called "Teribileyusctoria," which includes three species—two of them in the Indian Ocean, and one reclassified after being found off Japan. Researchers speculate that the adhesive discs help the worms anchor themselves inside their tubes, although the exact purpose remains unconfirmed.
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