Cossura pygodactylata Jones, 1956

Synonyms:
No synonyms.

Distinguishing characteristics
Prostomium is conical.
Single, very long branchial filament arising from chaetiger 2.
Abdomen like a string of beads.
Pygidium with with 3 long anal cirri and about 6-10 additional short cirri.

Species description
Body is long and cylindrical, divided in three regions. Prostomium is conical, rounded at the tip. Mouth ventral. A single, very long branchial filament arising from chaetiger 2. Thorax with 13-21 chaetigers. Parapodia are rudimentary. Thoracic segments dorsoventrally flattened, abdominal cylindrical, beaded. 2 types of chaetae: short, wide, slightly bent and abruptly tapering chaetae and straight, long, slender capillaries. Pygidium divided into 2 lateral lobes, with 3 long anal cirri and about 6-10 additional short cirri on each side.

Size
Up to 12 mm for 64 segments.

Color

Habitat
2160 – 3400m.
Small, tolerant and opportunistic polychaetes. Downward-conveyor, small tube builders intertidal stations.

Mobility
Sedentary.

Feeding
Surface deposit feeder.

Life cycle
Unknown

Distribution
European waters, west Greenland