Phylum: Annelida

Class: Polychaeta

Functional group: Sedentaria

Order: Terebellida

Family: Terebellidae

Scientific name: Eupolymnia nebulosa

 

Norwegian: -

(Heim - Sør-Trøndelag / 3.29.2003 / 20 meters)

Distribution: This tube-building bristle worm is common along the Norwegian coast. It has been observed on depths down to 500 meters. It builds tubes from fine sand grains in crevices and under rocks.

Characteristics: The rounded, soft and fragile body may reach a length of 15 cm and a diameter of approximately 1 cm. It consists of 100-200 segments. The white spots are a typical feature for this species, but safe identification from pictures alone can be difficult or even impossible.

The posterior end of the body tends to roll up in a spiral. In the other end (anterior) there are two pairs of branched gills. Often only the long tentacles are visible outside its crevice.

All pictures: