Schneider, 1868
Description:
Body long and cylindrical.
Prostomium with two stiff tentacles, distinctly separated at their bases (length 600-780 µm, often unequally long). Two oval nuchal organs dorsolaterally situated in distinct grooves between prostomium and trunk.
Trunk without external constrictions between segments.
Bulb-like pygidium pre-terminally swollen, without appendages; peripherally encircled with a ring of 26-28 conspicuous mounds of glandular openings (number 35-43). Anus terminal; anal margin may have several lobe-like folds.
Female fertile region starting between segments 50 and 70. Male fertile region starting between segment 40 and 60.
Size:
Up to 100 mm for 150-185 segments.
Colour:
Opaque white, faintly pink to salmon; surface smooth and iridescent. Blood greenish-grey. Mature females reddish owing to colour of oocytes. Males with sperm appear white.
Habitat:
Coarse, clean sand and sandy or shelly gravel in subtidal areas.
Distribution:
Atlantic Ocean (Ireland, Shetlands), North Sea (Helgoland), English Channel (Plymouth, Roscoff area), Irish Sea (Isle of Man), possibly the Mediterranean and Black Sea.