Marine worms use nature’s 3D printing to build their bristles piece by piece.

---

A new study has shed light on how certain marine worms form bristles, hair-like projections on each side.

A team of researchers, led by molecular biologist Florian Raible from the Max Perutz Labs at the University of Vienna, used advanced imaging techniques to closely study Platynereis dumerilii, which is often considered a living fossil.

These annelid worms have extraordinary bristles that enable them to navigate their aquatic environment. But how are these intricate structures formed? It turns out that these species develop bristles piece by piece, similar to the process of 3D printing.