Chaetopterus

Chaetopterus is a genus of barrel-shaped marine worms commonly known as parchment worms. They live in U-shaped tubes attached to the sea floor, where they build and inhabit specialized parchment-like chambers. These worms are filter feeders, using fans of appendages to capture plankton and organic particles from the water. They play a role in their ecosystem by helping to recycle nutrients and serve as prey for larger animals. Despite their tube-dwelling lifestyle, they are important members of marine environments, contributing to the health and balance of ocean ecosystems.