RARE Cretaceous Lebanese Polychaete Worm Fossil

This is a rare worm fossil of a member of the Polychaetae, or Bristleworms, coming from the Cretaceous of Lebanon. Known for its incredibly well preserved fish and crustaceans, the sublithographic limestone of Lebanon also preserved incredible detail of this delicate worm.

The polychaete worms are related to earthworms and leeches, the most well known members of the Phylum Annelida. They derive their common name from the setae (or chaetae – bristles) on each side of the body. The Polychaetae can trace their fossil record back to the 520 million year old Burgess Shale where examples such as Burgessochaeta and Canadia have been preserved.