Neoamphitrite affinis (Malmgren, 1866)

Synonyms:
Amphitrite affinis Malmgren, 1866
Amphitrite intermedia Malmgren, 1866
Amphitrite palmata Malmgren, 1866
Neoamphitrite affinis Hessle, 1917

Distinguishing characteristics
Body long.
Three pars of branchiae - dichotomous with long tips and short, flattened stems.

Species description
Body long, thorax dorsally convex, laterally and ventrally flattened, abdomen tapering. Tentacles numerous, long. Upper lip low, covering mouth dorsally and laterally. Three pairs of dichotomous branchiae with long tips and short stems on segments 2 – 4. 17 thoracic segments with capillary chaetae (from segment 4). Uncinigerous tori from segment 5, long on thorax, short on abdomen. Uncini in double rows on segments 11 – 20. Pygidium without appendages. Tube – A thin layer of secretion incrusted with mud, clay, and fine sand grains.

Size
Up to 115 mm long.

Color
In alcohol pale yellow or greyish.

Habitat
On mud and fine sand.
15-600m.

Mobility
Sedentary.

Feeding
Surface deposit feeder.
Facultative suspension feeder.

Life cycle

Distribution
Arctic and Atlantic, Franz Josef's Land, western Scotland, western Ireland, White Sea, Siberian Arctic, West Greenland, Canadian Arctic, Nova Scotia. East Greenland, Svalbard, Barents Sea, Iceland, Norwegian Sea, northern Norway and Trondelag, Skagerrak, Oslofjord, Swedish west coast.