Laonice cirrata (M. Sars, 1851)

Synonyms:
Nerine cirrata M. Sars, 1851
Spio cirrata Michaelsen, 1896
Laonice cirrata Söderström, 1920

Distinguishing characteristics
Prostomium fused with peristomium at anterior margin, rounded anteriorly, caruncle reaching chaetiger 28-30.
From neuropodium 40-45 hooded hooks with one apical tooth in lateral view present.

Species description
Body long, a little flattened. Prostomium fused with peristomium at anterior margin, rounded anteriorly, with two or four eyes and a median antenna. Caruncle reaching chaetiger 28-30. Notopodial postchaetal lobes in the anterior segments with branchiae starting at chaetiger 2, broadly cirriform, with thin pointed tips, posteriorly becoming smaller. Branchiae completely separate from the postchaetal lobes. Anterior parapodia with capillary chaetae only. From neuropodium 40-45 onwards also hooded hooks with one apical tooth in lateral view present. No notopodial hooks. Pygidium with 8-14 small cirri or papillae.

Size
Up to 120 mm for 160 segments. Width 3-5 mm.

Color
Anteriorly yellowish, posteriorly brownish.

Habitat
Sublittoral to very deep waters.

Mobility

Feeding
Surface deposit feeder. Facultative suspension feeder.

Life cycle

Distribution
Arctic, possibly also northern North Sea.