Whale bone-devouring worm into more than whales

Video image of whale bones on the sea floor. Image courtesy of Craig Smith.

Osedax worms, first described less than 10 years ago, were initially found feeding on the bones of whale carcasses on the sea floor known as “whale falls.” Research into their reproduction, evolution, and ecology has yielded insights into a unique way of life. The work of Oceanography professor Craig Smith and subsequent researchers is discussed in an article at Deep Sea News, including recent findings that the worms also colonize large fish bones, as well as the sunken bones of other mammals.
Read more about it and see the video, produced by Smith’s lab, of whale fall succession at Deep Sea News.