vestimentiferan; tube worm (order Vestimentifera)
A deep-sea tube worm; the Japanese name literally means 'haori worm' because the worm's plume resembles a haori coat. Used mainly in marine biology contexts.
Vestimentiferan tube worms live around hydrothermal vents.
A new species of vestimentiferan was discovered during the deep-sea survey.
Katakana spelling is standard for this biological term; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
From 羽織 and 虫, named for the mantle-like tissue characteristic of vestimentiferan tube worms.