''Aphrodita'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

marine Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean. Marine or marines may refer to: Ocean * Maritime (disambiguation) * Marine art * Marine biology * Marine debris * Marine habitats * Marine life * Marine pollution Military * ...

polychaete

worm Worms are many different distantly related bilateral animals that typically have a long cylindrical tube-like body, no limbs, and no eyes (though not always). Worms vary in size from microscopic to over in length for marine polychaete wor ...

s found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice".

Etymology

The name of the genus is taken from

Aphrodite Aphrodite ( ; grc-gre, Ἀφροδίτη, Aphrodítē; , , ) is an ancient Greek goddess associated with love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, and procreation. She was syncretized with the Roman goddess . Aphrodite's major symbols include ...

, the Ancient Greek goddess of love, said to be because of a supposed resemblance to human female genitalia. The English name may derive from the resemblance to a bedraggled

house mouse The house mouse (''Mus musculus'') is a small mammal of the order Rodentia, characteristically having a pointed snout, large rounded ears, and a long and almost hairless tail. It is one of the most abundant species of the genus '' Mus''. Althoug ...

when washed up on shore.

Description

The body of the sea mouse is covered in a dense mat of parapodia and ''

setae In biology, setae (singular seta ; from the Latin word for "bristle") are any of a number of different bristle- or hair-like structures on living organisms. Animal setae Protostomes Annelid setae are stiff bristles present on the body. Th ...

'' (hairlike structures). Adults generally fall within a size range of , but some grow to . The sea mouse has two pairs of feeler-like appendages close to the mouth and does not have eyes. Locomotion is carried out by several small, bristly, paddle-like appendages. They are hermaphroditic which means that they have functional reproductive organs of both sexes. The eggs of one individual are fertilised by the sperm of another.

Structural coloration

The spines, or ''setae'' on the scaled back of the sea mouse are a unique feature. Normally, these have a deep red sheen, warning off predators, but when the light shines on them perpendicularly, they flush green and blue, a "remarkable example of photonic engineering by a living organism". This structural coloration is a defense mechanism, giving a

warning signal Aposematism is the Advertising in biology, advertising by an animal to potential predation, predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defences which make the prey difficult to kill and eat, suc ...

to potential predators. The effect is produced by many hexagonal cylinders within the spines, which "perform much more efficiently than man-made optical fibres".

Feeding

''Aphrodita'' are typically scavengers. However, '' Aphrodita aculeata'' is an active predator, feeding primarily on small crabs, hermit crabs and other polychaete worms such as '' Pectinaria''.

Species

Species recognized by the World Register of Marine Species: *'' Aphrodita abyssalis'' Kirkegaard, 1996 *'' Aphrodita aculeata'' Linnaeus, 1758 *'' Aphrodita acuminata'' Ehlers, 1887 *'' Aphrodita alta'' Kinberg, 1856 *'' Aphrodita annulata'' Pennant, 1777 *'' Aphrodita aphroditoides'' (McIntosh, 1885) *'' Aphrodita armifera'' Moore, 1910 *'' Aphrodita audouini'' Castelnau, 1842<'small> *'' Aphrodita australis'' Baird, 1865 *'' Aphrodita bamarookis'' Hutchings & McRae, 1993 *'' Aphrodita bisetosa'' Rozbaczylo & Canahuire, 2000 *''

Aphrodita brevitentaculata ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of ocean, marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphr ...

'' Essenberg, 1917 *''

Aphrodita californica ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Essenberg, 1917 *''

Aphrodita clavigera ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, ...

'' Freminville, 1812 *'' Aphrodita daiyumaruae'' Imajima, 2005 *''

Aphrodita decipiens ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' (Horst, 1916) *''

Aphrodita defendens ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Chamberlin, 1919 *''

Aphrodita diplops ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Fauchald, 1977 *'' Aphrodita echidna'' Quatrefages, 1866 *''

Aphrodita elliptica ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of ocean, marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphr ...

'' *''

Aphrodita falcifera ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of ocean, marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphr ...

'' Hartman, 1939 *''

Aphrodita goolmarris ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Hutchings & McRae, 1993 *''

Aphrodita hoptakero ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Otto in Audouin & Milne Edwards, 1832 *'' Aphrodita japonica'' Marenzeller, 1879 *''

Aphrodita kulmaris ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Hutchings & McRae, 1993 *''

Aphrodita limosa ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' (Horst, 1916) *''

Aphrodita longicornis ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Kinberg, 1855 *''

Aphrodita longipalpa ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Essenberg, 1917 *''

Aphrodita macroculata ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Imajima, 2001 *''

Aphrodita magellanica ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Malard, 1891 *''

Aphrodita malayana ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' (Horst, 1916) *''

Aphrodita malkaris ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Hutchings & McRae, 1993 *''

Aphrodita maorica ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Benham, 1900 *'' Aphrodita marombis'' Hutchings & McRae, 1993 *''

Aphrodita mexicana ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Kudenov, 1975 *''

Aphrodita modesta ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, ...

'' Quatrefages, 1866 *''

Aphrodita negligens ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Moore, 1905 *''

Aphrodita nipponensis ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Imajima, 2003 *''

Aphrodita obtecta ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, ...

'' Ehlers, 1887 *'' Aphrodita parva'' Moore, 1905 *''

Aphrodita perarmata ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, ...

'' Roule, 1898 *''

Aphrodita refulgida ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Moore, 1910 *''

Aphrodita rossi ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of ocean, marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphr ...

'' Knox & Cameron, 1998 *''

Aphrodita roulei ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of ocean, marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphr ...

'' Horst, 1917 *''

Aphrodita scolopendra ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Bruguière, 1789 *''

Aphrodita sericea ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, ...

'' Castelnau, 1842 *'' Aphrodita sibogae'' (Horst, 1916) *''

Aphrodita sondaica ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, ...

'' Grube, 1875 *''

Aphrodita sonorae ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Kudenov, 1975 *''

Aphrodita talpa ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Quatrefages, 1866 *''

Aphrodita terraereginae ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Haswell, 1883 *''

Aphrodita tosaensis ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodite, ...

'' Imajima, 2001 *''

Aphrodita watasei ''Aphrodita'' is a genus of marine polychaete worms found in the Mediterranean sea and the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Several members of this genus are known as "sea mice". Etymology The name of the genus is taken from Aphrodi ...

'' Izuka, 1912

References

External links

Sea Mouse images

A Natural Photonic Crystal
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3918661 Phyllodocida