https://bsky.app/profile/seafloorscience.bsky.social/post/3kpek4hwjpt2n

  • InevitableSwing [none/use name]
    hexagon
    ·
    edit-2
    6 months ago

    Lovely.

    It's obscenely long, its mucus is highly toxic, and you can find it along the coasts of Britain.

    Lineus longissimus

    The bootlace worm (Lineus longissimus) is a species of ribbon worm and one of the longest known animals, with specimens up to 55 m (180 ft) long being reported. Its mucus is highly toxic. [...] This toxic mucus has been shown to kill crabs and cockroaches, and could have applications as an agricultural insecticide.

    Taxonomy

    The bootlace worm is in the phylum Nemertea or ribbon worms. It is the most common nemertean found along the coasts of Britain.