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{{short description|Species of ribbon worm}}
{{Short description|Species of ribbon worm}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
| name = Bootlace worm
| name = Bootlace worm
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The '''bootlace worm''' ('''''Lineus longissimus''''') is a species of [[ribbon worm]] and one of the longest known animals, with specimens up to {{convert|55|m|ft|abbr=on}} long being reported, although this has not been confirmed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2018/03/potential-insecticide-discovered-earth%E2%80%99s-longest-animal|title=Potential insecticide discovered in Earth's longest animal|work=UQ News|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en}}</ref> Its [[mucus]] is highly toxic.<ref>Strand, M., Sundberg, P. 2010. ''Lineus longissimus'' Långsnöre, p. 104 – In: ''[[Nationalnyckeln till Sveriges flora och fauna]].'' Stjärnmaskar – slemmaskar. Sipuncula – Nemertea. Artdatabanken, SLU, Uppsala, {{ISBN|978-91-88506-72-6}}</ref>
The '''bootlace worm''' ('''''Lineus longissimus''''') is a species of [[ribbon worm]] and one of the longest known animals, with specimens up to {{convert|55|m|ft|abbr=on}} long being reported.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2018/03/potential-insecticide-discovered-earth%E2%80%99s-longest-animal|title=Potential insecticide discovered in Earth's longest animal|work=UQ News|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en}}</ref> Its [[mucus]] is highly toxic.<ref>Strand, M., Sundberg, P. 2010. ''Lineus longissimus'' Långsnöre, p. 104 – In: ''[[Nationalnyckeln till Sveriges flora och fauna]].'' Stjärnmaskar – slemmaskar. Sipuncula – Nemertea. Artdatabanken, SLU, Uppsala, {{ISBN|978-91-88506-72-6}}</ref>


==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
The bootlace worm is in the phylum [[Nemertea]] or ribbon worms. It is the most common nemertean found along the [[coast]]s of [[Great Britain|Britain]].{{Cn|date=January 2021}}
The bootlace worm is in the phylum [[Nemertea]] or ribbon worms. It is the most common nemertean found along the [[coast]]s of [[Great Britain|Britain]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discovery Zone - Bootlace Worm |url=https://www.shetland.uhi.ac.uk/research/discovery-zone/bootlace-worm/ |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=www.shetland.uhi.ac.uk}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
Bootlace worms may grow very long but are usually only {{convert|5|to|10|mm|in}} in width. The body is brown with lighter (longitudinal) stripes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2075|title=MarLIN – The Marine Life Information Network – Bootlace worm (Lineus longissimus)|website=www.marlin.ac.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-03-30}}</ref> Its mucus contains a relatively strong [[neurotoxin]] which it uses as a defense against predators.{{Cn|date=March 2021}} When handled, it produces large amounts of thick mucus with a faint pungent smell, reminiscent of iron or sewage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sciencenews.org/article/toxins-bootlace-worm-can-kill-cockroaches|title=Toxins from the world's longest animal can kill cockroaches|last=Milius|first=Susan|date=2018-03-30|work=Science News|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en}}</ref> This toxic mucus has been shown to kill [[Crab|crabs]] and [[Cockroach|cockroaches]], and could have applications as an agricultural [[insecticide]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180326140226.htm|title=Insect toxin detected in the world's longest animal|work=ScienceDaily|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en}}</ref>
Bootlace worms may grow very long but are usually only {{convert|5|to|10|mm|in}} in width. The body is brown with lighter (longitudinal) stripes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2075|title=MarLIN – The Marine Life Information Network – Bootlace worm (Lineus longissimus)|website=www.marlin.ac.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-03-30}}</ref> Its mucus contains a relatively strong [[neurotoxin]] which it uses as a defense against predators.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bootlace Worm: Earth’s Longest Animal Produces Powerful Toxin |url=https://www.sci.news/biology/bootlace-worm-toxin-05852.html#:~:text=The%20bootlace%20worm%20(Lineus%20longissimus,of%20Swedish%20scientists%20has%20discovered. |website=Sci.News}}</ref> When handled, it produces large amounts of thick mucus with a faint pungent smell, reminiscent of iron or sewage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sciencenews.org/article/toxins-bootlace-worm-can-kill-cockroaches|title=Toxins from the world's longest animal can kill cockroaches|last=Milius|first=Susan|date=2018-03-30|work=Science News|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en}}</ref> This toxic mucus has been shown to kill [[crab]]s and [[cockroach]]es, and could have applications as an agricultural [[insecticide]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180326140226.htm|title=Insect toxin detected in the world's longest animal|work=ScienceDaily|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en}}</ref>


In 1864, [[William M'Intosh]] described a specimen that had washed ashore in the aftermath of a severe storm by [[St Andrews]], [[Scotland]], which was more than {{convert|55|m|ft|abbr=on}} long,<ref>Gerald L. Wood ''Animal Facts and Feats: A Guinness Record of the Animal Kingdom'', pg 334.</ref> longer than the longest known [[Lion's mane jellyfish]], the animal which is often considered to be the [[Largest organisms|longest in the world]]. However, records of extreme length should be taken with caution, because the bodies of nemerteans are flexible and can easily stretch to much more than their usual length.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}
In 1864, [[William M'Intosh]] described a specimen that had washed ashore in the aftermath of a severe storm by [[St Andrews]], [[Scotland]], which was more than {{convert|55|m|ft|abbr=on}} long,<ref>Gerald L. Wood ''Animal Facts and Feats: A Guinness Record of the Animal Kingdom'', pg 334.</ref> longer than the longest known [[lion's mane jellyfish]], the animal which is often considered to be the [[Largest organisms|longest in the world]]. However, records of extreme length should be taken with caution, because the bodies of nemerteans are flexible and can easily stretch to much more than their usual length.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laidlaw |first=Shawn |date=2020-11-23 |title=Ribbon Worm - Facts and Beyond |url=https://biologydictionary.net/ribbon-worm/ |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=Biology Dictionary |language=en-US}}</ref>


Like other nemerteans, ''Lineus longissimus'' feeds using its [[wikt:eversible|eversible]] [[proboscis]]. As it is in the class [[Anopla]], its proboscis is not armed with a barbed stylet. Instead, it has a cluster of sticky filaments at the end of its proboscis that it uses to immobilize prey.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}
Like other nemerteans, ''Lineus longissimus'' feeds using its [[wikt:eversible|eversible]] [[proboscis]]. As it is in the class [[Anopla]], its proboscis is not armed with a barbed stylet. Instead, it has a cluster of sticky filaments at the end of its proboscis that it uses to immobilize prey.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Bootlace worm mucus contains a neurotoxin that is intended to deter predators. It has been shown to be capable of killing crabs and cockroaches, and it has been suggested as a potential agricultural insecticide. The suggestion was made in 2018 by researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180326140226.htm|title = Insect toxin detected in the world's longest animal}}</ref>


==Habitat==
==Habitat==
''Lineus longissimus'' can be found on Norway's and Britain's coasts, and also on Sweden's west coast. {{Cn|date=January 2021}}
''Lineus longissimus'' can be found on Norway's and Britain's coasts, on the Danish east coast and also on Sweden's west coast. {{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}


==References==<!-- ZoolMedLeiden82:59. -->
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikispecies}}
{{Wikispecies}}
{{commonscat}}
* {{EOL|586802}}
* {{Eol|586802}}
* {{NCBI taxid|88925}}
* {{NCBI taxid|88925}}
* {{ITIS|ID=204277}}
* {{ITIS|ID=204277}}
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q134358}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q134358}}


[[Category:Anopla]]
[[Category:Marine fauna of Europe]]
[[Category:Lineidae]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1770]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1770]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Johan Ernst Gunnerus]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Johan Ernst Gunnerus]]

Latest revision as of 21:26, 15 November 2024

Bootlace worm
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nemertea
Class: Pilidiophora
Order: Heteronemertea
Family: Lineidae
Genus: Lineus
Species:
L. longissimus
Binomial name
Lineus longissimus
(Gunnerus, 1770)

The bootlace worm (Lineus longissimus) is a species of ribbon worm and one of the longest known animals, with specimens up to 55 m (180 ft) long being reported.[1] Its mucus is highly toxic.[2]

Taxonomy

[edit]

The bootlace worm is in the phylum Nemertea or ribbon worms. It is the most common nemertean found along the coasts of Britain.[3]

Description

[edit]

Bootlace worms may grow very long but are usually only 5 to 10 millimetres (0.20 to 0.39 in) in width. The body is brown with lighter (longitudinal) stripes.[4] Its mucus contains a relatively strong neurotoxin which it uses as a defense against predators.[5] When handled, it produces large amounts of thick mucus with a faint pungent smell, reminiscent of iron or sewage.[6] This toxic mucus has been shown to kill crabs and cockroaches, and could have applications as an agricultural insecticide.[7]

In 1864, William M'Intosh described a specimen that had washed ashore in the aftermath of a severe storm by St Andrews, Scotland, which was more than 55 m (180 ft) long,[8] longer than the longest known lion's mane jellyfish, the animal which is often considered to be the longest in the world. However, records of extreme length should be taken with caution, because the bodies of nemerteans are flexible and can easily stretch to much more than their usual length.[9]

Like other nemerteans, Lineus longissimus feeds using its eversible proboscis. As it is in the class Anopla, its proboscis is not armed with a barbed stylet. Instead, it has a cluster of sticky filaments at the end of its proboscis that it uses to immobilize prey.[citation needed]

Habitat

[edit]

Lineus longissimus can be found on Norway's and Britain's coasts, on the Danish east coast and also on Sweden's west coast. [citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Potential insecticide discovered in Earth's longest animal". UQ News. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  2. ^ Strand, M., Sundberg, P. 2010. Lineus longissimus Långsnöre, p. 104 – In: Nationalnyckeln till Sveriges flora och fauna. Stjärnmaskar – slemmaskar. Sipuncula – Nemertea. Artdatabanken, SLU, Uppsala, ISBN 978-91-88506-72-6
  3. ^ "Discovery Zone - Bootlace Worm". www.shetland.uhi.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  4. ^ "MarLIN – The Marine Life Information Network – Bootlace worm (Lineus longissimus)". www.marlin.ac.uk. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  5. ^ "Bootlace Worm: Earth's Longest Animal Produces Powerful Toxin". Sci.News.
  6. ^ Milius, Susan (2018-03-30). "Toxins from the world's longest animal can kill cockroaches". Science News. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  7. ^ "Insect toxin detected in the world's longest animal". ScienceDaily. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  8. ^ Gerald L. Wood Animal Facts and Feats: A Guinness Record of the Animal Kingdom, pg 334.
  9. ^ Laidlaw, Shawn (2020-11-23). "Ribbon Worm - Facts and Beyond". Biology Dictionary. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
[edit]
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