Birds on the Brain

rhamphotheca:

Electric Blue Worm - Deep Atlantic

by James Owen

This deep-sea scale worm (family Polynoidae) boasts iridescent scales that flash in deep blue hues, though scientists aren’t sure why, since the creature lives in total darkness. “It shuffles along the seafloor on bristly legs, picking up little bits and pieces,” said expedition member Monty Priede.

The strange animal was located in 2010 in the mid-Atlantic using Isis, the U.K.’s deepest-diving remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Isis explored as far down as 12,000 feet (3,600 meters), revealing marine species whose sheer abundance surprised the study team.

(via: National Geo)          (photo: David Shale)