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Tornaria

Tornaria

Plural: Tornariae

From the Latin word "tornus," which mean "lathe" or "chisel"

Parents: Acorn worms

Food: Microscopic algae called phytoplankton

Size: About 1000 microns tall = 1.0 millimeters = 0.04 inches

acorn worm by Casey Dunn

Photo of an adult acorn worm by Casey Dunn

Larval Form and Function

Watch this compilation video to learn more about the movement, anatomy, and feeding of the tornaria larva.

Life Cycle of an Acorn Worm

acorn worm lifecycle

Drawn by Nadia Stoker

  • The tornaria larval form is only seen in some hemichordate worms, which are also called acorn worms.
  • Adults are either male or female.
  • Eggs and sperm are spawned into the seawater where fertilization takes place.
  • Tornaria larvae exist for weeks to months feeding on phytoplankton (microscopic algae) until they are ready to transition to their juvenile form on the sea floor. Adult acorn worms generally live for a few years, but their lifespan is not well known.
  • The tornaria larval form is one of the largest feeding larval forms.

 

Larval Quest Activity

Developed by Nadia Stoker and Caitlin Plowman as outreach and education materials accompanying the Born in the Abyss film.

The Stephen Low Company
Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon
National Science Foundation