Nephtys incisa Malmgren, 1865

Synonyms:
Nephtys incisa Malmgren, 1865, non Fauvel, 1923; non Hartmann-Schröder, 1971; non Kirkegaard, 1992

Distinguishing characteristics
Acicular lobes conical.
Interramal cirri cirriform, curved outwards, first present on setiger 9-10.

Species description
Body delicate, easily fragmented. Prostomium pentagonal with two antennae and two similar palps. Pharynx with 20 longitudinal rows of 1 to 5 papillae. First segment with dorsal and ventral tentacular cirri as long as the antennae. Acicular lobes conical. Postchaetal lamellae rounded, anteriorly larger than the acicular lobes. Prechaetal lamellae rounded, as long as the acicular lobes. Interramal cirri cirriform, curved outwards, first present on setiger 9-10 (occasionally 8-11), fully developed by setiger 15, then decreasing in size to be absent on last 25 setigers. Satae golden, aciculae visible laterally on parapodia as dark brown points. Pygydial cirrus slender, about the length of the last 5-6 setigers or up to one quarter as long as the body.

Size
Up to 60 mm long for 70 to 75 segments.

Color
In alcohol cream-coloured, medioventral region iridescent.

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

Mobility
Mobile.

Feeding
Carnivore.
Predator.

Life cycle

Distribution
North-East Atlantic between Island and West Africa, North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, Mediterranean.