ROME: The intense heat in Italy in the last two or three years have fueled the expansion in southern seas of highly invasive and voracious sea worm endangering animals in marine reserves and fishermen’s livelihood.
The bearded fireworm has no natural enemies and regenerates if chopped in two.
It has stinging bristles that can give very painful stings to anyone that picks one up.
The species has expanded immeasurably in the seas of Sicily, Puglia and Calabria, threatening fishing.
“The bearded fireworm, whose scientific name is hermodice carunculata, has stinging toxic bristles that generate edemas, itching and fever,” said Michela D’Alessandro, who with her colleagues Valentina Esposito and Marco Graziani, is studying the species, which was previously known to be abundant only in Suez Canal.
Source: Philippines News agency
