Contents and search bar Index of flora Index of fauna
	SPECIAL COMMUNITY

Fanworm Rock and Sponge Borers Coral rock is mostly limestone (calcium carbonate), and boring animals use a variety of means, ranging from mechanical scraping to acid secretions to drill into the solid rock. Peanut Worm Barnacle (Membranobalanus) Three of the smaller and more common boring animals are depicted. The small fanworms are common, and normally, only the feeding tentacles are visible during hightide. Rock Peanut Worms bore their way into rock when young, leaving only a small opening for their introvert (proboscis) to extend out to feed. The larger body is permanently trapped inside the rock. Several barnacles have also adapted to life in rocks and sponges some being so specialised that they have lost their hard plates. Date Mussel Lithophaga Family Lithophagidae This bivalve bores deep into coral rock by means of acid secretions. It protects itself by means of a horny shell layer (periostracum). It is especially common in dead coral blocks. It is a filter feeder. (Length up to 8cm). Shrimp Upogebia ancylodactyla Family Upogebiidae This shrimp mechanically bores its way into the rock using its powerful pincers, creating a network of tunnels. It filters small organisms which are drawn into their tunnels by the rapid beating of their swimmerets. (Length up to 4cm).

Introduction Shore environment

From A Guide to Seashore Life by Dr Leo W H Tan and Peter K L Ng Published by the Singapore Science Centre and sponsored by BP @Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and Singapore Science Centre