cf. Thysanozoon or Acanthozoon 7
photo: Ralph Turre, Maui (at night)

This worm is off-white with numerous inconspicuous lighter white spots. The numerous papillae are elongate, dark, and pointed. It resembles Acanthozoon or Thysanozoon sp. 7 from the Newman & Cannon CD, but that species is from the Azores and Western Atlantic, so the Hawai`i worm is almost certainly different.

A case could also be made that this worm is a younger, paler specimen of Thysanozoon cf. brocchii, partially buried and perhaps disturbed by the photographer. More photos would be very welcome.

BACK to papillae