Creepy photos reveal the microscopic world of parasitic creatures thriving on sandy beaches worldwide

Rebecca StrongApr 13, 2023, 23:19 IST

Thousands of species of nematodes live in your average handful of sand.Jim Baldwin and Manuel Mundo-Ocampo; Mirayana Marcelino Barros; Getty; Insider

Sand is host to hundreds of microscopic species that are yet to be discovered.
Deep sea biologist Holly Bik is on a quest to discover as many of these species as possible.

You probably see all kinds of critters on the beach — but what you might not realize is that the sand beneath your feet is home to a thriving microscopic universe of parasitic roundworms called nematodes.

NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images

You probably see all kinds of critters on the beach — but what you might not realize is that the sand beneath your feet is home to a thriving microscopic universe of parasitic roundworms called nematodes.

Deep sea biologist Holly Bik said it's estimated there are millions of different species of nematodes, but biologists have described fewer than 5,000 marine species to date.

Hillary Bik pouring water over a sample to extract nematode specimens for research.Virginia Schutte

Deep sea biologist Holly Bik said it's estimated there are millions of different species of nematodes, but biologists have described fewer than 5,000 marine species to date.

Nematodes are typically less than 1 millimeter in length, so Bik and her team use powerful microscopes to study them. This particular species — known as the Ceramonema — is commonly found on underwater mountains in the deep sea.

The wave, plate-like pattern of this Ceramonema is what distinguishes it from other nematodes.Jim Baldwin and Manuel Mundo-Ocampo

Nematodes are typically less than 1 millimeter in length, so Bik and her team use powerful microscopes to study them. This particular species — known as the Ceramonema — is commonly found on underwater mountains in the deep sea.

This nematode — the Xyala — is one of the most abundant species on sandy beaches worldwide.

The Xyala is distinguished by its rows of raised ridges all over its body.Jim Baldwin and Manuel Mundo-Ocampo

The presence of Odontophora nematodes are a sign of a clean, unpolluted habitat and often make sandy beaches their home.

The Odontophora nematode has an opening on one end that resembles something out of the "Alien" film franchise.Jim Baldwin and Manuel Mundo-Ocampo

Desmodorid nematodes, like this one, can be found in marine mud and sand worldwide — and are especially common in seafloor habitats with low oxygen.

Desmodorid nematodes are covered in tiny sensory hair-like organs that help them navigate their environment.Mirayana Marcelino Barros

Enoploides nematodes are fierce predators thanks to their three extendable y-shaped jaws — each of which features its own large tooth.

Enoploides nematodes have three extendable jaws they use to consume prey.Mirayana Marcelino Barros

Epsilonema nematodes boast unique-shaped bodies that resemble the number 3 or letter E, and the rings surrounding their bodies secrete sticky mucous.

Epsilonema nematodes secrete mucous to help anchor them to the sand and avoid washing away with the tide.Mirayana Marcelino Barros

It's easy to see why the Eubostrichus nematode has acquired the nickname "Chewbacca." Each one of those hair-like structures is actually an individual bacterial cell that's attached itself to the nematode.

Eubostrichus nematodes plays host to bacterial cells that cover its body in a symbiotic relationship.Mirayana Marcelino Barros

It's easy to see why the Eubostrichus nematode has acquired the nickname "Chewbacca." Each one of those hair-like structures is actually an individual bacterial cell that's attached itself to the nematode.

What surprised Bik and her colleagues the most is how similar these microscopic nematodes look like macroscopic worms you find in soil and elsewhere on Earth. Like this Gammanema nematode, which tends to live in sandy seafloor habitats.

Gammanema nematodes have few defining characteristics but in the roundworm world, they're vicious predators.Mirayana Marcelino Barros

What surprised Bik and her colleagues the most is how similar these microscopic nematodes look like macroscopic worms you find in soil and elsewhere on Earth. Like this Gammanema nematode, which tends to live in sandy seafloor habitats.

What distinguishes the Metoncholaimus nematode is a wide oval-shaped mouth that contains one large tooth and two smaller equal-sized teeth.

Similar to the enoploides nematodes, these Metoncholaimus nematode have teeth that help them consume prey.Mirayana Marcelino Barros

This Pareurystomina has a large mouth that boasts one slender tooth and many rows of tiny serrated teeth-like scales known as "denticles," which it uses to munch on marine microbes like diatoms and dinoflagellates.

Pareurystomina nematodes have serrated scales that help them consume prey.Mirayana Marcelino Barros

This Pareurystomina has a large mouth that boasts one slender tooth and many rows of tiny serrated teeth-like scales known as "denticles," which it uses to munch on marine microbes like diatoms and dinoflagellates.

The resourceful Theristus nematode often emerges from between sand grains into the water, and can actively swim towards new areas of sand where more food is available.

Theristus nematodes can actively swim to hunt for prey.Jim Baldwin and Manuel Mundo-Ocampo

The Tricoma secretes a sticky mucus that makes sand stick to its body, which is both a camouflaging defense mechanism against predators, and a weight to prevent strong currents from washing them away.

Tricoma nematodes are distinguished by their triangular head and body that look like circular rings.Mirayana Marcelino Barros

The Tricoma secretes a sticky mucus that makes sand stick to its body, which is both a camouflaging defense mechanism against predators, and a weight to prevent strong currents from washing them away.

You won't find Thoracostoma nematodes on the beach — but they're not too far off. This species only lives within the roots of giant kelp off the California coast.

Thoracostoma nematodes has two red circle that look like eyes and, in fact, help the microbe sense light, scientists think.Mirayana Marcelino Barros

You won't find Thoracostoma nematodes on the beach — but they're not too far off. This species only lives within the roots of giant kelp off the California coast.

Bik and her team are currently on a National Science Foundation-funded expedition to East Antarctica in pursuit of deep-sea marine nematode samples.

The ship that Bik and her team are on right now to find more nematodes thriving in the deep-seas of East Antarctica.Virginia Schutte

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Creepy photos reveal the microscopic world of parasitic creatures thriving on sandy beaches worldwide

You probably see all kinds of critters on the beach — but what you might not realize is that the sand beneath your feet is home to a thriving microscopic universe of parasitic roundworms called nematodes.

Deep sea biologist Holly Bik said it's estimated there are millions of different species of nematodes, but biologists have described fewer than 5,000 marine species to date.

Nematodes are typically less than 1 millimeter in length, so Bik and her team use powerful microscopes to study them. This particular species — known as the Ceramonema — is commonly found on underwater mountains in the deep sea.

This nematode — the Xyala — is one of the most abundant species on sandy beaches worldwide.

The presence of Odontophora nematodes are a sign of a clean, unpolluted habitat and often make sandy beaches their home.

Desmodorid nematodes, like this one, can be found in marine mud and sand worldwide — and are especially common in seafloor habitats with low oxygen.

Enoploides nematodes are fierce predators thanks to their three extendable y-shaped jaws — each of which features its own large tooth.

Epsilonema nematodes boast unique-shaped bodies that resemble the number 3 or letter E, and the rings surrounding their bodies secrete sticky mucous.

It's easy to see why the Eubostrichus nematode has acquired the nickname "Chewbacca." Each one of those hair-like structures is actually an individual bacterial cell that's attached itself to the nematode.

What surprised Bik and her colleagues the most is how similar these microscopic nematodes look like macroscopic worms you find in soil and elsewhere on Earth. Like this Gammanema nematode, which tends to live in sandy seafloor habitats.

What distinguishes the Metoncholaimus nematode is a wide oval-shaped mouth that contains one large tooth and two smaller equal-sized teeth.

This Pareurystomina has a large mouth that boasts one slender tooth and many rows of tiny serrated teeth-like scales known as "denticles," which it uses to munch on marine microbes like diatoms and dinoflagellates.

The resourceful Theristus nematode often emerges from between sand grains into the water, and can actively swim towards new areas of sand where more food is available.

The Tricoma secretes a sticky mucus that makes sand stick to its body, which is both a camouflaging defense mechanism against predators, and a weight to prevent strong currents from washing them away.

You won't find Thoracostoma nematodes on the beach — but they're not too far off. This species only lives within the roots of giant kelp off the California coast.

Bik and her team are currently on a National Science Foundation-funded expedition to East Antarctica in pursuit of deep-sea marine nematode samples.