Ophelia limacina (Rathke, 1843)

Synonyms:
Ammotrypane limacina Rathke, 1843
Ophelia bicornis Örsted,1843, non de Savigny,1822
Ophelia limacina Fauvel, 1927
Ophelia borealis Tebble, 1952; non de Quatrefages,1866

Distinguishing characteristics
Ventral groove starting at chaetiger 6-9.
Branchiae from chaetiger 6, absent in the last 4-10.
Pygidium with 2 long papillae and 8-14 smaller, thin papillae.

Species description
Body spindle-shaped, with a ventral groove, starting at chaetiger 6-9. Prostomium very small, conical. 16-24 gills, usually starting at chaetiger 6, absent in the last 4-10 chaetigers. All chaetae smooth capillaries, the posterior ones very long. Pygidium with 2 long papillae and a dorsal semicircle of 8-14 smaller, thin papillae.

Size
Up to 55 mm for 33-40 segments.

Color
Pink or flesh-coloured.

Habitat
On sand, from eulittoral to 500 m.

Mobility
Sedentary.

Feeding
Deposit feeder.

Life cycle

Distribution
Whole North Sea to Baltic Sea, Arctic, North Pacific, North Atlantic to Mediterranean.