(Johnston, 1865)
Description:
Body long and cylindrical; with an constriction around the 9th segment.
Prostomium longer than broad, without anterior ‘horns’ (M. mirabilis-detail).
The two long palps with two longitudinal rows of papillae.
Thoracic parapodia with pointed to broadly rounded, oval to triangular dorsal postchaetal lamellae and somewhat smaller ventral postchaetal lamellae, small dorsal and somewhat longer ventral cirri and winged capillary chaetae. Parapodia of the 9th segment with a dorsal and ventral bundle of subdistally broadened chaetae. Abdominal parapodia with short postchaetal lamellae, oval to finger-like interramal lamellae, small papilliform dorsal and ventral cirri and tridentate hooded hooks (M. mirabilis-detail 2).
Size:
Up to 170 mm for 150 segments.
Colour:
Thorax pale pink, abdomen dark grey or greenish, with pale spots laterally.
Habitat:
On sand or mud; eulittoral to about 60 m.
Distribution:
Eastern North Atlantic to the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Black Sea. Whole North Sea to the Bay of Kiel and the English Channel.