Nephtys ciliata (O.F. Müller, 1776)

Synonyms:
Nereis ciliata Müller, 1776
Nephtys borealis Oersted, 1843
Nephtys ciliata Fauvel, 1923

Distinguishing characteristics
Accicular lobes in anterior and middle setigers distinctly bilobed.
Interramal cirri curved outwards, first present on setigers 7-10.

Species description
Body long and strong. Prostomium pentagonal, longer then wide, with a straight or slightly convex anterior margin. Antennae and palps much shorter than half of the width of the prostomium, palps slightly longer than the antennae and arising close behind them. Pharynx with 22 longitudinal rows of 3 to 7 papillae. Accicular lobes in anterior and middle setigers distinctly bilobed, in posterior setigers rounded or weakly bilobed. Dorsal and ventral cirri cirriform. Interramal cirri stout to cirriform, without a basal swelling, first present on setigers 7-10, then much reduced or rudimentary in the last 20-30 setigers. Interramal cirri curved outwards. Pygidium with 1 analcirrus.

Size
Up to 300 mm long for 140 segments.

Color
White, yellowish or brownish in alcohol.

Habitat
Burrower in top level of sediments, from the eulittoral down to 950 m deep.

Mobility
Mobile.

Feeding
Omnivore.
Predator/Scavenger.

Life cycle
Free spawning with planktotrophic larvae.

Distribution
Arctic, North Pacific, North Atlantic to Black Sea, North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, Belt, Oresund.