Introduction to nemerteans

The body is usually thin and elongated, vermicular, cylindrical, or ribbon-like in a shape that is smooth and not segmented. They are commonly called proboscis worms. The body color is usually dull, but some have vivid colored bodies. The rhynchodaeum is long, and can be inverted into a straw-like shape. The most common body shape is elongated and thin with a long rhynchodaeum that is used to capture prey and for defense. The animals in this group are carnivorous, and have no heart or respiratory organs.