Phyllodoce (Anaitides) groenlandica Örsted, 1842

Synonyms:
Phyllodoce groenlandica Örsted, 1843
Phyllodoce luetkeni Malmgren, 1967
Phyllodoce arctica Hansen, 1880
Anaitides groenlandica Bergström, 1914; Hartmann-Schroder, 1971

Distinguishing characteristics
4 pairs of tentacular cirri (2 longer and 2 shorter).
Ventral cirri with distinct ventrally directed tips.
Dorsum of brownish green metallic hue, with dark transverse bands.

Species description
Body slender with long tapering posterior half. Prostomium pentagonal, eyes rather small. Tentacular cirri of segment 1 reaching about segment 7. Dorsal and ventral tentacular cirri of segment 2 reaching about segment 12-13 and segment 6 respectively. Dorsal tentacular cirri of segment 3 as long as those of segment 2. Chaetae present from segment 3. Dorsal cirri of median segments rectangular in outline. Ventral cirri with distinct ventrally directed tips Pygydial cirri cylindrical, about seven times as long as broad.

Size
Length for a certain number of segments very variable, depending on degree of constriction in preserved animals. Largest specimen observed measured about half a metre in living state. Largest number of segments reported 700.

Color
Alive with dark pigmentation anterior to eyes and on posterior lobes. Dorsum of brownish green metallic hue, with dark transverse bands centered in pseudosegmental areas. Dorsal cirri with dark spots. Eyes dark brownish red.

Habitat
On sandy mud or mud. Intertidal to at least several hundred metres.

Mobility
Mobile.

Feeding
Predator.

Life cycle
Reproduction and larval development take place in spring and early summer. The species has a long pelagic stage.

Distribution
Circum-arctic; northern parts of the North Atlantic. English Channel, North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, Öresund to the Bay of Kiel.