Lineus longissimus: Difference between revisions
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{{Speciesbox |
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| name = Bootlace worm |
| name = Bootlace worm |
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| image = |
| image = Peter Griffin.png |
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| taxon = Lineus longissimus |
| taxon = Lineus longissimus |
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| authority = ([[Johan Ernst Gunnerus|Gunnerus]], 1770) |
| authority = ([[Johan Ernst Gunnerus|Gunnerus]], 1770) |
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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> |
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==Taxonomy== |
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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}} |
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==Description== |
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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> |
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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}} |
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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}} |
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==Habitat== |
==Habitat== |
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Revision as of 16:20, 8 January 2022
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Nemertea |
| Class: | Pilidiophora |
| Order: | Heteronemertea |
| Family: | Lineidae |
| Genus: | Lineus |
| Species: | L. longissimus
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| Binomial name | |
| Lineus longissimus (Gunnerus, 1770)
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Habitat
Lineus longissimus can be found on Norway's and Britain's coasts, and also on Sweden's west coast. [citation needed]
References
External links
Wikispecies has information related to Lineus longissimus.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lineus longissimus.
- "Lineus longissimus". The Encyclopedia of Life.
- "Lineus longissimus". National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
- "Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- Lineus longissimus (Gunnerus, 1770) (accepted name) Catalogue of Life: 30 April 2017