Protodrilus hypoleucus

Armenante, 1903

Description:
Tentacles relatively short, reaching only to the middle of segment 1. Two ovoid so-called statocysts at base of tentacles which are difficult to recognize. Adults without eyes. Two round nuchal organs behind tentacles. Head region dorsally with four ciliary rings, the anterior two of which have a double row of cilia. Body segments with only small ciliary tufts and short sensory cilia. Bacillary glands in anterior part of prostomium and serially arranged on body segments. No cocoon glands. Pygidium between the broad pygidial lobes with a tiny median projection. Salivary glands in both sexes from segment 1 to segments 18 or 20.
Normally three pairs of spermioducts in segments 5-7. Lateral organs form a continuous groove in segments 5-8. Fertile region in the males beginning between segment 6 and 20; in females from segment 18 or 20 posteriorly.

Size:
Up to 7-8 mm for 45-50 segments.

Colour:
Opaque white; body surface appears ornamented.

Habitat:
Medium and coarse sand in intertidal as well as subtidal littoral areas.

Distribution:
English Channel, Skagerrak, Mediterranean.

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