Seven Sea Worms, Some With “Green Bombs,” Discovered

Posted by: Loren Coleman on August 21st, 2009

In the latest proof that the oceans continue to offer remarkable findings and much of their vastness remains to be explored, scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and their colleagues have discovered a unique group of worms that live in the depths of the ocean.


A video image of a species of Swima (as yet undescribed) with arrows indicating the animal’s large bombs. Image: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

The discoveries feature worms-nicknamed “green bombers”-that can release body parts that produce a brilliant green bioluminescent display.


One of the first green bombers (Swima bombiviridis) collected from Monterey Bay and photographed by Steven Haddock of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Several green bombs are visible near the animal’s long coiled head palps.

The discovery is described in the August 21 issue of the journal Science and is led by Karen Osborn of Scripps Oceanography.

The researchers introduce seven previously unknown species of swimming worms in the annelid phylum ranging from 18 to 93 millimeters (.7 to 3.6 inches) in length. They were discovered by the scientists using remotely operated vehicles at depths between 1,800 and 3,700 meters (5,900 and 12,140 feet). The first species described in the paper has been given the scientific name Swima bombiviridis, referring to its swimming ability and the green bombs.


A newly discovered worm swimming in the water column of Astoria Canyon off Oregon.


An unusual sighting of five Swima bombiviridis worms swimming in formation.


Numerous members of one of the yet-to-be-described species of Swima worms can be seen.

For more, read here & here; then see more photos here.

Loren Coleman About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct). Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015. Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.


One Response to “Seven Sea Worms, Some With “Green Bombs,” Discovered”

  1. cryptidsrus responds:

    They look more like plants than worms.

    Cool beans!!!

    The ocean never ceases to amaze me!!!

Sorry. Comments have been closed.

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