Highlights

International Polychaete Day Feature Series IV

Highlights /

From local biodiversity to ecologically important tubeworms and their larval culture, we focused on various aspects of polychaete biology research conducted by scientists at the St John’s Island Marine Laboratory (SJINML). As we wrap up the International Polychaete Day special series, we share one more exciting research ― polychaetes found from deep sea biodiversity expeditions undertaken by scientists at the SJINML.

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International Polychaete Day Feature Series III

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This week’s feature on polychaete research at the St John’s Island Marine Laboratory (SJINML) continues on the subject of tubeworms but with a twist, literally and figuratively ― we introduce the biofouling spiral tubeworms known as spirorbins.

Tubeworms actually refer to polychaetes from the family Serpulidae, which include the species Spirobranchus kraussii from last week’s Feature Series II and the spirorbins that we will talk about today. Last week, we shared about their special ability to build hard calcareous tubes that encase their soft bodies. The tubes are important protective structures against predators and also desiccation when the tubeworms are out of water, for example during low tides.

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International Polychaete Day Feature Series II

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Last week, we mentioned polychaete species that are relatively mobile in the sediment. Today, we shift the focus to a tubeworm species and its larval culture.

Tubeworms are sessile worms that build their homes (tubes) around their bodies. The tubes are usually attached to a fixed substrate. Some tubeworms can grow to large sizes. For example, Riftia pachyptila is one of the largest known tubeworms that can grow up to 1.5m in length, 4mm in diameter. It is found on the deep-sea floor at hydrothermal vents that are rich in hydrogen sulphide.

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International Polychaete Day Feature Series I

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In this four-part series celebrating International Polychaete Day (1st July), we will feature four different polychaete research carried out at the St John’s Island Marine Laboratory. We are kicking it off with a subject closer to home ― the biodiversity of polychaetes in Singapore.

If you have heard of bloodworms, bristleworms, fanworms, feather-duster worms, fireworms, ragworms, scaleworms, sea mouse, spaghetti worms, tubeworms, would it surprise you that they are all actually polychaetes!

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Code Of Ethics For Researchers

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The Young Scientists (YS) Community of the World Economic Forum, in consultation with senior researchers and ethicists, developed a universal Code of Ethics for Researchers to serve as a guide with ethical principles on how to be ethical scientists in today’s world. In response to increasing fake news and science deniers, the YS community hopes to use this Code to guide and shape the behaviour of individuals in making positive changes of culture in the scientific world.

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