adaptations to attachment

Gastrolepidia clavigera is widely distributed in the tropical waters of the Indo-pacific region. They are found on the surface of around 11 large shallow-water holothurians of the families Stichopodidae (Genera Stichopus and Thelenota) and Holothuriidae (Holothuria and Bohadschia). The worm is abundant in shallow tropical water, however, not much research had been done on it and there is limited information about the species.


The worm is closely attached to the surface of their host. In order to adapt the lifestyle of commensalism, several adaptations are developed. Hooked ventral chaetae and special semicircular lobes that are developed laterally on the ventral side of each setiger allow the worm to stay in position (Gibbs, 1969). They also developed some drumstick like features, they are believed to be mimicking the tube feet of the holothurians. Also, the coloration of the worm makes them almost completely invisible. The colour of the worm is almost the same as the colour of the host; however, one exception was noted. A dark colour worm was found on a greenish gray holothurian (Stichopus variegates). This might be a result of host transfer.

Gastrolepidia clavigera