Episode 1002: Cryptic Critters

Right under the noses of thousands of scuba divers, a potential new threat appeared on the Vandenberg wreck. It is not surprising that it went unnoticed, since it is the width of a pencil eraser, barely the length of your finger, and perfectly camouflaged. Thankfully, one expert spotted it and immediately knew it didn’t belong. It turns out it was a new species: the Vandy worm-snail. Worm-snails can be a concern because they can damage coral and transmit parasites that can infect sea turtles. Researchers want to know where this worm-snail came from, how it got there, and whether this is the start of the next harmful invasion.

Experts

Meet the experts featured in this episode.

Episode Photos

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Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D. conducting his research on the Vandenberg wreck.

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The tentacles of a Vandy worm-snail (Thylcodes vandyensis) sticking out of its tube.

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The feeding web of a Vandy worm-snail (Thylacodes vandyensis) spread out of its tube.

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The strings of mucous that the Vandy worm-snail uses to filter feed, coming out of its tube.

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Billy Causey, Ph.D. being interviewed by the Changing Seas crew, Producer Véronique Koch, Director of Photography Sean Hickey and Production Assistant Kristin Paterakis.

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Director of Photography Sean Hickey getting a post-dive interview with Petra Sierwald, Ph.D. and Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D., with the help of Kristin Paterakis.

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Videographer Allan Farrell getting the post-dive reactions from Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D. and Petra Sierwald, Ph.D.

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Director of Photography Sean Hickey filming Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D. as he searches for worm-snails on the Adolphus Busch wreck.

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Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D. showing a worm-snail he collected with a permit on the Adolphus Busch wreck.

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Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D. examining the specimens he collected underwater in the Mote Marine Lab on Summerland Key.

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Changing Seas crew films Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D. showing the specimens he collected underwater in the Mote Marine Lab on Summerland Key.

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Director of Photography Sean Hickey working hard against strong currents to get the perfect macro shot of the Vandy worm-snail (Thylacodes vandyensis).

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Director of Photography Sean Hickey working hard against strong currents to get the perfect macro shot of the Vandy worm-snail (Thylacodes vandyensis).

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A small Vandy worm-snail (Thylacodes vandyensis) (seen covered in red sponge) next to orange cup coral.

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A Vandy worm-snail (Thylacodes vandyensis) extracted from its shell.

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Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D. at the electron microscope in the Field Museum in Chicago, while Sean Hickey sets up the shot.

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Sean Hickey films Petra Sierwald, Ph.D. and Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D. in the Mote Marine Lab on Summerland Key as they collect organisms from the ARMS (Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures.)

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Producer Véronique Koch interviews Jim Bohnsack, Ph.D. at the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center.

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Producer Véronique Koch wheeling a specimen cart full of camera gear through Stanley Field Hall at the Field Museum in Chicago.

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Videographers Jeremy Nicholson and Sean Hickey film Petra Sierwald, Ph.D. in the collections of the Field Museum in Chicago.

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Public relations director for the Field Museum Jaclyn Johnston tells Sean Hickey about the history of this natural history museum.

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A Vandy worm-snail (Thykacodes vandyensis) pulling in its feeding web.

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Director of Photography Sean Hickey carefully filming the Vandy worm-snail (Thylacodes vandyensis) with a special macro set up.

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A darker color morph of the Vandy worm-snail (Thylacodes vandyensis) with its mucous web extended.

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Looking down the tube of a Vandy worm-snail (Thylacodes vandyensis).

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Director of Photography Sean Hickey filming Rüdiger Bieler, Ph.D. and Petra Sierwald, Ph.D. on the Adolphus Busch, looking for exotic worm-snails.

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Videographer Allan Farrell checking out the camera between shoots.

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Producer Véronique Koch looking for worm-snails among the encrusting organisms on the Vandenberg wreck.

Special Thanks:

Best Western Key Ambassador
3755 S. Roosevelt Blvd.
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 296-3500

Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive Center

27340 Overseas Hwy
Ramrod Key, FL 33042
(305) 872-2215

Captain's Corner Dive Center
125 Ann St.
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 296-8865

Southpoint Divers
606 Front St.
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 292-9778

Image Credits

Changing Seas would like to thank the following individuals and institutions who kindly allowed their footage, images and other media to be used in this production:

Anke Bieler

Rüdiger Bieler

Oceana

Randy Wentling
iStock by Getty Images

David Sirak

Andre Breves , CEADS-UERJ

Cody Daniells

David Liittschwager

Natural History Museum Rotterdam, Joop

Petra Sierwald

Brian Stacy, NOAA