Sea mouse

Sea mouse

Taxobox
name = Sea Mouse


image_caption = "A. aculeata" (Sea mouse)
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Annelida
classis = Polychaeta
ordo = Phyllodocida
subordo = Aphroditoidea
familia = Aphroditidae
genus = "Aphrodita"
species = "A. aculeata"
binomial = "Aphrodita aculeata"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758

The sea mouse, "Aphrodita aculeata" is a marine polychaete worm found in the North Atlantic, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. Its body is covered in a dense mat of "chaetae" (hairs), from which the name "sea mouse" derives. Its scientific name is taken from Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love. They may grow up to 20 cm and are active carnivores, chiefly eating other polychaetes, such as "Nereis", which may be up to three times the length of the sea mouse.

External links

* [http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/theory/seamouse/ Sea Mouse images]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1099278.stm BBC News | SCI/TECH | Sea mouse promises bright future]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sea mouse — (Zo[ o]l.) (a) A dorsibranchiate annelid, belonging to {Aphrodite} and allied genera, having long, slender, hairlike set[ae] on the sides. (b) The dunlin. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sea mouse — sea′ mouse n. ivt any large oval marine annelid worm of the genus Aphrodite covered with long bristles • Etymology: 1510–20 …   From formal English to slang

  • sea mouse — n. any of a genus (Aphrodite) of large, marine polychaetes with a flat, oval body covered with bristles …   English World dictionary

  • sea mouse — any of several large, marine annelids of the genus Aphrodite and related genera, having a covering of long, fine, hairlike setae. [1510 20] * * * ▪ worm       (Aphrodita), any of a genus of marine worms of the class Polychaeta (phylum Annelida),… …   Universalium

  • sea mouse — noun any of several large worms having a broad flattened body with a mat of coarse hairs covering the back • Hypernyms: ↑polychaete, ↑polychete, ↑polychaete worm, ↑polychete worm * * * noun 1. : a large broad marine polychaete worm of Aphrodite… …   Useful english dictionary

  • sea mouse — /ˈsi maʊs/ (say see mows) noun any of various large marine annelids of the genus Aphrodite and allied genera, of a somewhat mouse like appearance, due to a covering of long, fine, hair like setae …  

  • sea mouse — noun Date: circa 1520 any of various large broad marine polychaete worms (especially genus Aphrodite) covered with hairlike setae …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sea mouse — noun a large marine bristle worm with a stout oval body which bears matted fur like chaetae. [Genus Aphrodite.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • sea-mouse — …   Useful english dictionary

  • sea — n. 1 the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth s surface and surrounds its land masses. 2 any part of this as opposed to land or fresh water. 3 a particular (usu. named) tract of salt water partly or wholly enclosed by land (the… …   Useful english dictionary

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