9/20/2023 0 Comments Arizona flat worm fossils![]() ![]() The known species of polychaetes share only a few characteristics. Get to know the fascinating world of his beloved organisms with these bristle worm facts: In Fauchald's memory, July 1, which would have been his 80th birthday, has been declared the first International Polychaete Day. He was so esteemed that at least 36 species have been named after him, according to the World Register of Marine Species. In his career, Fauchald named three families, 34 genera and nearly 300 species of polychaetes, and he mentored and befriended far more human students and colleagues. He studied polychaetes at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History from 1979 until he passed away this past April. It takes a unique mind to appreciate the diversity and strangeness of polychaete lifestyles, and one of the greatest belonged to Kristian Fauchald. They’ve adapted to every imaginable marine habitat, from deep hydrothermal vents to crowded coral reefs to the open ocean-and many have found ways to survive that are definitely bizarre. ![]() There are at least 10,000 species of these swimming bristly worms, some of which pop with brilliant colors or light up with a bioluminescent glow. Unbeknownst to most landlubbers, polychaetes rule the seas. ![]()
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