Nephtys hystricis

McIntosh, 1900

Description:
Body very fragile.
Prostomium pentagonal with two antennae and two similar palps.
First segment with dorsal and ventral tentacular cirri of the same size.
Parapodia: postchaetal lamellae of notopodia broadly rounded, in the anterior part of body longer than the acicular lobes; in the posterior part of the body shorter or little longer than the acicular lobes. Prechaetal lamellae bilobed best seen in the middle part of the body, shorter or longer than the acicular lobes. Neuropodial postchaetal lamellae without vascular structures.
Gills start at segment 6 to the posterior end; absent on posterior 15-18 segments (N. hystricis-parapodium).
Pharynx with 22 longitudinal rows of 4 to 6 small papillae and a very large additional mediodorsal papilla. Pharynx smooth proximal.

Size:
Up to 40 mm long for 70 to 75 segments.

Colour:
In alcohol cream-coloured, iridescent anteriorly body, with a yellow medioventral longitudinal groove, pharynx light brown.

Habitat:
Sandy or muddy substrata from 100 to 600 m deep.

Distribution:
Widely distributed in the area.

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