(Montagu, 1808)
Description:
The body of this scale-worm is of uniform width. Dorsal and ventral surfaces smooth.
Prostomium bilobed with median and lateral antennae with subterminal swellings and fine tips and a pair of palps with longitudinal rows of fine papillae. Two pairs of eyes, the anterior pair at the extreme lateral edges of prostomium, the posterior pair closer together at the posterior margin. First segment bearing 4 or 5 chaetae and a pair of dorsal and ventral tentacular cirri in long fused cirrophores. Scales overlap in the anterior region, usually leaving the mid-line of the body uncovered. The first pair of scales are round, the remainder oval to round, all with smooth margins, the surfaces covered with large and small conical tubercles which become less numerous on posterior scales (L. clava-scale). Notopodia are small mounds with a ventral acicular ligule and numerous chaetae. Notopodial chaetae short and spinose with blunt tips. Neuropodia are well developed with an anterior acicular ligule and chaetae. Neuropodial chaetae with curved tips and up to 12 rows of small spines below the incurved edge.
Size:
Up to 45 mm for 26 segments.
Colour:
Variable, scales light brown, often with darker markings.
Habitat:
Littoral and shallow sublittoral, usually under stones and in algal holdfasts.
Distribution:
Indian Ocean, Red Sea, North Pacific, North Atlantic up to West Africa, Mediterranean, Adriatic, English Channel and southern North Sea, Kattegat and Öresund.