Oersted, 1843
Description:
Dorsal surface nearly covered with notopodial chaetae, with only a narrow mid-dorsal region without chaetae. Two large eyes and two smaller ones ventrally. Caruncle extending posteriorly to chaetiger 5. Each notopodium with six to eight gills, each with 1-12 (usually 2-4) branches whose terminal filaments are not thickened. Two dorsal cirri. Two kinds of notopodial chaetae projecting far above the gills: 1) long smooth chaetae with a short lateral spur, tapering to pointed or blunt tips (may be broken off); 2) shorter, unequally forked, serrated chaetae, the longer branch curved towards the shorter branch. Ventral chaetae with short lateral spur, smooth, about as long as longest notopodial chaetae.
Size:
Up to 25 mm for 24-31 segments.
Colour:
Colourless when preserved.
Habitat:
In sand, gravel, stones, rocks and mud; from the intertidal zone to depths of more than 1400 m.
Distribution:
Widespread in Arctic, North Pacific and North Atlantic, including the northern part of the North Sea.