Spiophanes kroyeri Grube, 1860

Synonyms:
Spiophanes kroeyeri Grube, 1860
Spiophanes cirrata G. O. Sars, 1873

Distinguishing characteristics
Prostomium, broadly rounded anteriorly with a median antenna.
Caruncle reaching chaetiger 14.
First neuropodium with two big, strongly bent spines.

Species description
Body slender, flat anteriorly. Prostomium, broadly rounded anteriorly, with or without four eyes, with a median antenna. Caruncle reaching chaetiger 14. Notopodial postchaetal lobes in anterior four segments long cirriform, becoming shorter posteriorly, on segments 9-15 bigger again and then disappearing posteriorly. Neuropodial postchaetal lobes in anterior segments cirriform, becoming shorter posteriorly. First neuropodium with two big, strongly bent spines. All parapodia with winged capillary chaetae. From neuropodium 15 also hooks and from neuropodium 2 or 3 spines present. Pygidium with 9 little cirri.

Size
Up to 30 mm for 106 segments.

Color
Yellowish.

Habitat
In mud, from the sublittoral to 5200 m deep. Sometimes found in mixed bottoms or amongst seaweeds.

Mobility
Discretely motile.

Feeding
Surface deposit feeder.

Life cycle
Free spawning with planktotrophic larvae.

Distribution
North Sea to Öresund, possibly world-wide.