Odontosyllis is not a fireworm

[Geoff Read-2]

Hi all,

I was surprised to see a press release for a recent  paper by Scripps
biologists repeatedly use the term 'fireworm' for an Odontosyllis syllid
with bioluminescence, as though it was the accepted term for this group of
worms. It sounds impressive. And in analogy with firefly (a beetle!)
perhaps? Thus people would think the worms they already know as fireworms
would also have this bioluminescence.   However fireworm or fire worm is
the common name for neurotoxic Amphinomidae such as Eurythoe complanata as
painfully encountered by divers.  Its application to Odontosyllis species
is comparatively rare, and, I think, aberrant both in science lit and
popular writings. And in Flickr there are 490 fireworm photos - yep, they
seem to be overwhelmingly Eurythoe and the like. No syllids noticed.

Identity confusion is somewhat lessened with scientific names. And
fighting  'slippage' in the precision of common names is probably futile.
But herein my (mild) disapproval is registered. FWIW.

http://scrippsnews.ucsd.edu/Releases/?releaseID=970



Geoff
--
Geoffrey B. Read, Ph.D.
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
gread@...

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[Sven Zörner]

Hi Geoff,

you are absolutely right that the term fireworm is confusing, since it is used in a different way.
But actually  "Bermuda fireworm" is actually the common name of  Odontosyllis enopla, which is also commonly used in non taxonomic papers.

So it might be helpful to always point out that this term is a common name and not to be used in a way which leads to using it as english term for  taxonomic group.

kind regards

Sven

2009/10/30 Geoff Read <gread@...>

Hi all,

I was surprised to see a press release for a recent  paper by Scripps
biologists repeatedly use the term 'fireworm' for an Odontosyllis syllid
with bioluminescence, as though it was the accepted term for this group of
worms. It sounds impressive. And in analogy with firefly (a beetle!)
perhaps?

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[Geoff Read-2]

Hi Sven,

Odontosyllis enopla is also known as the Bermuda Glow Worm, and there are
Glow Worm Cruises for tourists.

http://emilyanncrawford.blogspot.com/2009/06/bermuda-glow-worm.html

I was thinking I'd invent the term 'nightlight worms' for Odontosyllis
species in general (we have them in New Zealand too, and I have caught
them swarming in abundance on a few occasions), but the marine glowworm
seems a pretty good common name to me.  There is no fire involved, whereas
(reputedly) quite a bit of fire is experienced after careless handling of
a live amphinomid. A similar usage to 'fiery' chili peppers.

Best to minimize use of all common names for groups probably. And
certainly best not to expect sharp logic in usage. There are no marine
bamboo plants for  bamboo worms to eat (tenuously  lookalike), and I don't
know what connection nereidids have with rags. Rag worms = ragged worms,
as against smooth-bodied earthworms? Lugworms? Don't know the etymology.

Geoff

>>> On 28/11/2009 at 7:15 a.m., Sven Zörner<s.a.z@...> wrote:
> Hi Geoff,
>
> you are absolutely right that the term fireworm is confusing, since it
is used in a different way.
> But actually  "Bermuda fireworm" is actually the common name of
*Odontosyllis
> enopla*, which is also commonly used in non taxonomic papers.
>
> So it might be helpful to always point out that this term is a common name
> and not to be used in a way which leads to using it as english term for
> taxonomic group.


--
Geoffrey B. Read, Ph.D.
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
gread@...


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[Sven Zörner]

Hi Geoff,

 

I expierences both :) not exactly with Odontosyllis, but with Eusyllis blomstrandi and with Eurythoe spec.

with Eusyllis i worked in the lab of Albrecht Fischer in Mainz, Germany and Eurythoe i had contact with while snorkeling in Honduras. So i secund that handling the latter is much more burning like fire on the skin, but seeing the luminescence is more like experiencing fireworks.

 

Its absolutly correct to choose less confusing common names in scientific publications, but actually i beliefe this won´t really let the term fireworm for Odontosyllis die in the use of common public use.

So its better to point out that this term exists, but is confusing and therefore usefule to use a more biunique term, than just "ignoring" it and creating insular solutions of new common names.

We imho have the scientific names because they are biunique and international, wrongly used common names or confusing common names are common names, because they are common ;).

 

kind regards

 

Sven Zörner 

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