<p>The deep sea tube worms of <span class="taxon"><em>L. luymesi</em></span> are one the longest-lived of all animals. Members of this species require between 170 and 250 years to grow to a length of two meters. This remarkable life span is especially noteworthy because the rate of growth is so slow compared to that of its vent relatives, which are among the fastest growing invertebrates. This also makes <span class="taxon"><em>L. luymesi</em></span> the most long-lived non-colonial marine invertebrate known. Individuals of <span class="taxon"><em>L. luymesi</em></span> do not grow at their maximal rates throughout their lives, but rather growth occurs episodically.<span> (Bergquist, Williams, and Fisher, 2000)</span></p>