Schmarda, 1861
Description:
Prostomium composed of ca. eight rings, with palps and antennae forming a cross at the tip.
Mid-body segments biannulate. Parapodia with triangular prechaetal lamellae, the notopodial slightly longer than the neuropodial. Postchaetal lamellae not widely separated; the notopodial of similar size to the prechaetal lamella, but rounded in shape; the neuropodial rounded, much shorter than the other lamellae. Dorsal cirri ovoid, ventral cirri large and leaf-like.
Gills occur on the dorsal side of the parapodium, starting at about chaetiger 25.
Pharynx with papillae of two kinds: fingernail and conical ones.
Aileron with an inner branch united to the outer branch by an interramal plate; tip of the inner branch rounded.
Size:
Up to 100 mm long for 180 segments.
Colour:
Reddish, flesh-coloured or pink.
Habitat:
Shallow subtidal in muddy sands and maerl.
Distribution:
Southern North Sea and English Channel.