Worm Holes in Studland Chalk 4

Worm Holes in Studland Chalk 4 – Small holes made by marine worms in chalk bedrock at South Beach in Studland Bay. The holes are mostly still occupied by the living worms, as seen by the combined mucus and mud tubes that line the burrows which remain in situ. The small hole in the tube is where the worm protrudes two palps (feelers) for feeding purposes when it is underwater. The holes are most likely made by Spionid polychaete worms of the Polydora genus, possibly Polydora ciliata (Johnston).