Scarab worm

Japanese: コガネウロコムシ

A general term for annelids of the genus Aphrodita in the family Aphrodidae of the class Polychaeta. This name comes from the golden-bristled bristles that cover their backs. They are also commonly known as sea mice because their backs are raised and grey from the mud they are covered in. Their English name is also sea mouse. There are six species in Japan, which live in various locations from the intertidal zone to the sea floor at depths of up to 800m. They are omnivorous, feeding on organic sediments and dead animals. The Japanese worm A. japonica (illustration) is a long oval with a body length of 5-10cm and 38-45 segments.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

多毛綱コガネウロコムシ科Aphrodita属の環形動物の総称。背面が黄金色の剛毛で覆われるところからこの名がある。また背中が盛り上がり，泥をかぶって灰色になっているところからウミネズミという俗称で呼ばれる。英名もsea‐mouse。日本には6種あり，各地の潮間帯から水深800mの海底にすむ。雑食性で有機沈殿物や死んだ動物などを食べている。ニホンコガネウロコムシA.japonica（イラスト）は体長5～10cmの長い楕円形で，環節数38～45。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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