Savigny, 1818
Description:
Body slender with a long tapering posterior end. Prostomium pentagonal, eyes medium-sized. Proximal part of proboscis densely covered with small diffusely distributed papillae. Distal half with six longitudinal rows of large tubercles. Terminal ring of about sixteen papillae. Segment 1 not visible dorsally. Tentacular cirri of segment 1 reaching about segment 5-6. Dorsal and ventral tentacular cirri of segment 2 reaching about segment 12-13 and segment 6 respectively. Dorsal tentacular cirri of segment 3 reaching about segment 11-12. A few chaetae present on segment 3. Dorsal cirri rectangular on anterior part of body, posteriorly more oblong cordate. Parapodial lobes slightly asymmetrical, upper part larger than lower. Ventral cirri slightly longer than parapodial lobes, without distinct tips. Pygidial cirri about four times as long as broad (P. laminosa-detail).
Size:
Length for a given number of segments very variable. Living animal may reach 750 mm. Maximum number of segments observed about 600.
Colour:
Living animals light green with darker pigment on prostomium and forming transverse bands across dorsum, posteriorly three dark spots per segment, one medial and two lateral. Less distinct spots occur mid-ventrally and at bases of parapodia. Dorsal cirri more or less pigmented. Eyes dark red. Larger specimens much darker. Body strongly iridescent. Pigmentation preserves well.
Habitat:
Intertidally under stones, in crevices and mussel beds. Subtidally on rocky substrata or bottoms with stones and large shells.
Distribution:
Atlantic, Mediterranean, English Channel and North Sea.