Rathke, 1843
Description:
Body anteriorly swollen and posteriorly long and slender, with the first few segments triannulate, other segments 4-annulate. Epidermis reticulate.
Prostomium small and bilobed, almost rectangular with 2 lateral tentacles, 2 nuchal slits and sometimes with 2 eyes.
Parapodia becoming bigger towards the posterior part. Noto- and neuropodia simple mounds, each with a bundle of capillary and forked chaetae. Neuropodia also with uni- or bidentate spines. Dorsal and ventral cirri present in posterior chaetigers.
Four pairs of arborescent gills, starting at notopodium 2.
Posterior part with a ventral furrow.
Pygidium with 5-7 long and short cirri.
Size:
Over 25 mm for 64 segments.
Colour:
Purple-red with yellow blotches.
Habitat:
Deep in sand or mud, upper sublittoral to 4000 m.
Distribution:
World-wide, North Sea to middle Baltic Sea.