Sars, 1853
Description:
Body relatively short, tapering towards the pygidium, often characteristically bent in S-shape. Tentacles numerous, short, grooved. Upper lip folded.
Segments 1 and 2 ventrally forming a front at an angle to thorax. Anteroventral edge of segment 1 firm, prominent. A single, short stem arising mid-dorsally on segment 3 and bearing four branches with large transverse lamellae; the upper two branches distinctly larger than the lower ones. Notopodial chaetae smooth, starting at segment 3. 18 thoracic chaetigers. Uncinigerous tori starting at segment 8. Notopodial chaetae smooth, with broad brims. Uncini of segment 8 distally bent spines, widely projecting from the neuropodium. Uncini of the rest of thorax with long shafts.
Abdominal uncini with reduced rostrum, approaching pectinate form.
Pygidium with minutely scalloped edge.
Size:
Up to 75 mm for 60 segments.
Tube:
Transitory, very thin layer of secretion encrusted with mud or sand, mouth of tube not above the sediment surface.
Colour:
In life pink or orange, gills red, tentacles brownish. In alcohol yellowish, faintly iridescent.
Habitat:
On sediments ranging from pure mud to clay or fine sand, including all forms of mixed bottoms. Most abundant on muddy bottoms. Eulittoral to a depth of about 3000 m.
Distribution:
Arctic, North Atlantic to Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Sea to the Baltic.