(Claparède, 1870)
Description:
Body of uniform width with a tapering posterior end. Prostomium pentagonal, eyes medium-sized. Proximal part of proboscis with about 25-30 more or less well-defined rows of about fifteen papillae. Distal part with six longitudinal rows of well-defined tubercles and a terminal ring of about seventeen papillae. Segment 1 not visible dorsally. Tentacular cirri of segment 1 reaching about segment 7. Dorsal and ventral tentacular cirri of segment 2 reaching about segment 15-18 and segment 7 respectively. Dorsal tentacular cirri of segment 3 reaching about segment 13. A small number of chaetae present on segment 3. Dorsal cirri of median segments oblong-cordate to rectangular. Parapodial lobes with upper lip slightly larger than lower. Ventral cirri pointed, longer than parapodial lobes (P. lineata-detail). Pygidial cirri not observed.
Size:
Preserved specimen 200 mm long for about 300 segments.
Colour:
Living specimens with dark pigmentation on prostomium anterior to eyes. Eyes dark red. Dorsum with dark pigmentation laterally, and centred on pseudosegmental areas forming a distinct median line. Ventral pigmentation much lighter. Pigmentation preserves well.
Habitat:
Tidally and subtidally; muddy sand or mud.
Distribution:
From both the west and east coasts of Scotland to the Mediterranean.