Nephasoma lilljeborgi (Danielssen and Koren, 1880)

Arctic-boreal species common in deep-sea communities

Nephasoma lilljeborgi

Synonymy
Phascolosoma lilljeborgi Danielssen and koren, 1880
Golfingia lilljeborgi Wesenberg-Lund, 1954

Distinguishing characteristics
Two retractors.
Smooth skin, body thin and transparent, with low skin bodies.
Oral disk is small, carrying two short tentacles and a few rounded lobes around the mouth.
Scattered, small, triangular hooks.
Might be easily mistaken with N. diaphanes or N. capilleforme

Size
Common trunk length: 10-15 mm
Maximum trunk length: 60 mm

Color
White to pale gray

Habitat
It inhabits sand, clay and mud

Feeding
Deposit feeder

Life cycle
Dioecious, probably trochophore larva

More Biology & Ecology
Nephasoma lilljeborgi often occurs with N. diaphanes in samples from the deep sea. They are very similar to each other, especially in the absence of gametes. However, N. lilljeborgi is more opaque and does not live in the foraminiferan tests. It is eurybathic species however, more common in bathyal bottoms.

Distribution
Far northeastern Atlantic Ocean from bathyal depths. Common in deep-sea communities; it might be endemic in cold deep waters.

References

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