News from the atoll
Tetiaroa Nature Series: One species at a tim e
Discover the u'a 'o — the christmas tree worm of Tetiaroa
Ia Ora Na
As the Christmas season approaches, another kind of magic appears beneath the turquoise waters of Teti’aroa.
Small red, blue, white, and golden spirals emerge from the coral like living decorations: the u'a 'o , the fascinating Christmas tree worms ( Spirobranchus giganteus corniculatus ).
Much smaller than the trees we decorate in our homes, yet just as dazzling, these marine “trees” light up the reef with their vibrant colors, a chromatic diversity that still holds its share of mystery…
Able to disappear in an instant, faithful to their coral host throughout their lives, and even acting as unintended protectors of the surrounding polyps, the u'a 'o are part of a remarkable and essential relationship that helps maintain the balance of the reef.
Photos: © Théo Guillaume - Behind the objectif
Ready to discover the hidden magic behind these tiny underwater Christmas trees?
Read the full third episode on our website
Tetiaroa Society is a US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID #45-1080688). We host scientific research, develop and implement conservation and education programs, and curate the island's knowledge base. We partner with The Brando to establish Tetiaroa as a model for sustainability, where businesses, non-profits, scientists, educators and the local community work together for common goals. Our program objectives are summarized in our Conservation and Sustainable Use Plan, which is available on our website.