Teuthidodrilus samae, dubbed as the squidworm, is a species of acrocirrid marine annelid worms. It is free-swimming and can be found in the deep sea water column at depths of 2,039 to 2,912 m (6,690 to 9,554 ft). It feeds on marine snow and can grow to about 9 cm (3.5 in) in length and 1 cm (0.39 in) in width. It is named for the ten squid-like appendages emerging from its head. It was discovered in 2007 in the benthopelagic zone of the Celebes Sea, near the Tawi-Tawi islands of the Philippines. It is the only species in the genus Teuthidodrilus.[1][2]
Teuthidodrilus samae was discovered in the 2007 "Exploring the Inner Space of the Celebes Sea" expedition by the remotely operated underwater vehicle Global Explorer ROV operated from the Philippine research vessel BRP Hydrographer Presbitero. Seven specimens were observed and collected from the deep-water column of the seafloor) of the Celebes Sea near the Tawi-Tawi islands of the Philippines. This area is part of the Coral Triangle, a location known for its increased biodiversity. The specimens were recovered at depths ranging from 2,039 to 2,912 m (6,690 to 9,554 ft), all within the demersal zone of around 100 m (330 ft) from the seafloor.[1][3]
Teuthidodrilus samae is the only species classified in the genus Teuthidodrilus. It belongs to the family Acrocirridae of the class Polychaeta in the phylum Annelida. It is classified along with the genus Swima in the "swimming clade" within the family Acrocirridae. A similar undescribed and uncollected specimen observed from off western India by the Hercules 7 ROV in 2004 may represent a second species in the genus.[1]
The generic name comes from Greek for "squid worm", while the specific name is in honor of the Sama people of the Tawi-Tawi islands.[2] The holotype is deposited in the National Museum of the Philippines.[1]
The collected specimens ranged in size from 2 to 9.4 cm (0.79 to 3.70 in) in body length. The holotype has a body width of around 1 cm (0.39 in). Adults are light brown when alive, becoming light black in color when preserved. Juveniles are almost transparent.[1]
The body is divided into 25 segments (chaetigers) with pairs of large flattened paddle-shaped notopodia, around 15 mm (0.59 in) in length. Each notopodium has greater than 50 chaetae (bristles) arranged into a fin-like shape, except the first segment which has less than 10. Alongside the notopodia are pairs of neuropodia, each with around 2 to 4 chaetae.[1][4]