ORDER
Priapulimorphida
FAMILY
Tubiluchidae
TAXONOMY
Tubiluchus corallicola van der Land, 1968.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Generally less than 0.1 in (5 mm) long. The introvert is moderately short, making up less than one fourth of the total body length in extended individuals. The trunk is not annulated and is covered with small spines. The single caudal appendage is very long, usually much longer than the trunk.
DISTRIBUTION
Bermuda, Curacao, Bonaire, and Barbados.
HABITAT
Poorly sorted coral sands in shallow tropical waters.
BEHAVIOR
In laboratory dishes, the animals always use their muscular caudal appendage to maintain contact with the substrate.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Most likely ingests small organic particles or may eat other small meiofaunal organisms.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Copulation is probable with internal fertilization. Females produce only up to 20 eggs. Release of embryos has not been observed, but larvae can be collected from the sediment and reared in the laboratory.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
