Comics - Wormly Speaking

Comics are a fun way to communicate complex ideas. As a comic lover, I started illustrating them to share the stories behind my research papers, blending storytelling with science in an engaging format.

From this spark, I launched Wormly Speaking—a cozy nook where the fascinating, often-overlooked polychaete worms get their time to shine. Through this project, my mission is to empower and inspire us with hopeful stories while also sharing the remarkable traits of these worms, such as their unique reproductive and regenerative biology. Take a peek at the stories I’ve created so far.

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wormlyspeaking/

Platynereis in “With Maturity”, drawing on my work publlished in Development: Ribeiro et al. 2025.

Syllis in Wonderland - Part II. Syllis versus The Queen of Hearts!

We named a polychete species in honor to Zelinha (Maurizelia de Brito) - the guardian of the paradisiacal Rocas Atoll. Thanks, Zelinha. Details in Freitas et al. (2023).

We named a polychaete species in honor to my first scientific advisor, Dr. Zafira de Almeida. Sadly, she left us too soon, and I deeply miss her. She will continue to be one of my role models. Thanks, Za. Details in Freitas et al. (2022)

A new Ramisyllis from Japan. It clearly deserves a comic, and it will be a new friend for Syllis. Details in Aguado et al. (2022).

I described a new syllid species and it was the inspiration for my first comic character, Syllis. Details in Ribeiro et al (2020)

We named a polychete species in honor to Zelinha (Maurizelia de Brito) - the guardian of the paradisiacal Rocas Atoll. Thanks, Zelinha. Details in Freitas et al. (2023). We named a polychaete species in honor to my first scientific advisor, Dr. Zafira de Almeida. Sadly, she left us too soon, and I deeply miss her. She will continue to be one of my role models. Thanks, Za. Details in Freitas et al. (2022) A new Ramisyllis from Japan. It clearly deserves a comic, and it will be a new friend for Syllis. Details in Aguado et al. (2022). I described a new syllid species and it was the inspiration for my first comic character, Syllis. Details in Ribeiro et al (2020)