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== Urechis unicinctus ==
{{Short description|Species of marine spoon worm}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Urechis unicinctus
| image = Echiura_in_Korea1.jpg
| image_caption = Urechis unicinctus in its natural habitat
| regnum = Animalia
| phylum = Annelida
| classis = Echiura
| ordo = Echiuroidea
| familia = Urechidae
| genus = Urechis
| species = '''U. unicinctus'''
| binomial = Urechis unicinctus
| binomial_authority = (von Drasche, 1881)
}}


Urechis unicinctus, also known as the fat innkeeper worm or the penis fish, is a species of marine spoon worm. It is widely recognized for its unique shape and is a common delicacy in East Asian cuisine, particularly in South Korea and Japan.
'''Urechis unicinctus''', commonly known as the [[fat innkeeper worm]], is a species of [[marine]] [[spoon worm]] in the family [[Urechidae]]. It is found in the coastal waters of [[East Asia]], particularly in [[China]], [[Japan]], and [[Korea]].


=== Taxonomy ===
==Description==
''Urechis unicinctus'' is a large, sausage-shaped worm that can grow up to 20 cm in length. It has a smooth, unsegmented body that is typically pink or brown in color. The worm is known for its unique burrowing behavior, creating U-shaped burrows in the sand or mud of shallow waters.


Urechis unicinctus belongs to the phylum [[Annelida]], a large group of segmented worms, and the class [[Echiura]], commonly known as spoon worms. The species is the most well-known member of the genus [[Urechis]].
==Habitat==
This species inhabits the intertidal and subtidal zones, where it constructs burrows in soft sediments. These burrows serve as a habitat for the worm and also provide shelter for other marine organisms, such as [[crabs]] and [[shrimp]].


=== Description ===
==Ecology==
''Urechis unicinctus'' is a filter feeder, using a mucus net to trap plankton and detritus from the water. The worm's burrowing activity aerates the sediment, which can enhance the local ecosystem by increasing the availability of nutrients.


The body of Urechis unicinctus is cylindrical, soft, and pinkish in color. It can grow up to 30 cm in length. The worm is often compared to a human penis, hence the nickname "penis fish".
==Cultural significance==
In [[Korea]], ''Urechis unicinctus'' is known as [[gaebul]] (__) and is considered a delicacy. It is often consumed raw, grilled, or stir-fried. The worm is also used as bait in [[fishing]].


=== Habitat and Distribution ===
==Media==
<gallery>
File:Haichang.ogv|''Urechis unicinctus'' in motion
File:Gaebul.jpg|''Urechis unicinctus'' prepared as a dish
File:Korean_sea_worm.jpg|''Urechis unicinctus'' in a market
</gallery>


Urechis unicinctus is found in the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean, particularly in East Asia. It prefers muddy sand substrates where it can burrow and create U-shaped burrows.
==Related pages==
 
=== Diet ===
 
The diet of Urechis unicinctus consists mainly of detritus and plankton. The worm feeds by extending a mucus net from its burrow to trap food particles.
 
=== Reproduction ===
 
Urechis unicinctus reproduces sexually. The female releases eggs into the water, which are then fertilized by the male. The fertilized eggs develop into larvae, which eventually settle on the seafloor and grow into adult worms.
 
=== Human Use ===
 
Urechis unicinctus is a popular food item in East Asia. In South Korea, it is known as "gaebul" and is often eaten raw with a spicy dipping sauce. In Japan, it is called "namako" and is used in a variety of dishes.
 
== See Also ==
 
* [[Annelida]]
* [[Echiura]]
* [[Echiura]]
* [[Urechis]]
* [[Marine biology]]
 
* [[Korean cuisine]]
== References ==
 
* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=6344&lvl=3&lin=f&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock Urechis unicinctus - Taxonomy]
* [https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=265536 Marine Species Identification Portal: Urechis unicinctus]
* [https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Urechis-unicinctus.html FishBase: Urechis unicinctus]


== External Links ==
==References==
* Barnes, R. D. (1980). ''Invertebrate Zoology''. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International.
* Ruppert, E. E., Fox, R. S., & Barnes, R. D. (2004). ''Invertebrate Zoology: A Functional Evolutionary Approach''. Brooks/Cole.


* [https://www.eol.org/pages/608855 Encyclopedia of Life: Urechis unicinctus]
[[Category:Urechidae]]
* [https://www.gbif.org/species/2307908 Global Biodiversity Information Facility: Urechis unicinctus]
[[Category:Marine animals of Asia]]
{{dictionary-stub1}}
[[Category:Edible animals]]
<gallery>
File:Echiura_in_Korea1.jpg|Urechis unicinctus in Korea
File:Haichang.ogv|Urechis unicinctus video
File:Gaebul.jpg|Urechis unicinctus, also known as "gaebul"
File:Korean_sea_worm.jpg|Urechis unicinctus, commonly found in Korean cuisine
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 04:22, 18 February 2025

Species of marine spoon worm



Urechis unicinctus, commonly known as the fat innkeeper worm, is a species of marine spoon worm in the family Urechidae. It is found in the coastal waters of East Asia, particularly in China, Japan, and Korea.

Description[edit]

Urechis unicinctus is a large, sausage-shaped worm that can grow up to 20 cm in length. It has a smooth, unsegmented body that is typically pink or brown in color. The worm is known for its unique burrowing behavior, creating U-shaped burrows in the sand or mud of shallow waters.

Habitat[edit]

This species inhabits the intertidal and subtidal zones, where it constructs burrows in soft sediments. These burrows serve as a habitat for the worm and also provide shelter for other marine organisms, such as crabs and shrimp.

Ecology[edit]

Urechis unicinctus is a filter feeder, using a mucus net to trap plankton and detritus from the water. The worm's burrowing activity aerates the sediment, which can enhance the local ecosystem by increasing the availability of nutrients.

Cultural significance[edit]

In Korea, Urechis unicinctus is known as gaebul (__) and is considered a delicacy. It is often consumed raw, grilled, or stir-fried. The worm is also used as bait in fishing.

Media[edit]

  • Urechis unicinctus in motion
    Urechis unicinctus in motion
  • Urechis unicinctus prepared as a dish
    Urechis unicinctus prepared as a dish
  • Urechis unicinctus in a market
    Urechis unicinctus in a market

Related pages[edit]

References[edit]

  • Barnes, R. D. (1980). Invertebrate Zoology. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International.
  • Ruppert, E. E., Fox, R. S., & Barnes, R. D. (2004). Invertebrate Zoology: A Functional Evolutionary Approach. Brooks/Cole.
  • Urechis unicinctus in Korea
    Urechis unicinctus in Korea
  • Urechis unicinctus video
    Urechis unicinctus video
  • Urechis unicinctus, also known as "gaebul"
    Urechis unicinctus, also known as "gaebul"
  • Urechis unicinctus, commonly found in Korean cuisine
    Urechis unicinctus, commonly found in Korean cuisine
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