(Fabricius, 1780)
Description:
Body strong, cylindrical.
Prostomium rounded anteriorly, dorsally separated from the peristomium by a weak groove. Nuchal slits relatively long, parallel, anteriorly bend outwards. Ocelli absent (but may be present in juveniles).
22-23 chaetigers. The first 6 chaetigers with glandular bands, anterior to the parapodia; in posterior segments glandular areas less clear. Anterior 3-4 neuropodia with a single strong spine, following neuropodia with a row of hooks.
The very small notopodia bear capillary chaetae.
Normally 2, rarely 1 or 3 posterior segments without chaetae (N. lumbricalis-detail).
Pygidium funnel-shaped, with 12-31 unequal and triangular cirri.
Size:
Up to 160 mm for 22-23 chaetigers.
Tube:
Tube thick, straight or tortuous. Diameter outside 10 mm, inside 5.5 mm.
Colour:
Anterior body half with red-brown spots or stains, especially dorsal and lateral.
Habitat:
The vertical distribution extends from the sublittoral down to 5000 m.
Distribution:
Arctic, North Pacific, North Atlantic to English Channel, North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, the Big Belt and Öresund to Bay of Kiel.