These segmented worms are among the most common marine organisms, and can be found living in the depths of the ocean, floating free near the surface, or burrowing in the mud and sand of the beach. Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia that bear many bristles, called chaetae, which are made of chitin. Indeed, polychaetes are sometimes referred to as bristle worms. All of them possess an array of bristles on their many leg-like parapodia- the name polychaete, in fact, means "many bristles".
Polychaetes (Feather-duster and tubeworms)
Scientific name: Polychaeta
Higher classification: Annelid
Rank: Class
Higher classification: Annelid
Rank: Class