Pherusa plumosa (Müller, 1776)

Synonyms:
Amphitrite plumosa Müller, 1776
Trophonia goodsirii Johnston,1840
Siphonostoma plumosa Rathke, 1843
Flemingia muricata Johnston,1846
Trophonia plumosa Moebius, 1874
Trophonia borealis Hansen,1882
Stylarioides plumosa Haase, 1915
Pherusa plumosa Støp-Bowitz, 1948

Distinguishing characteristics
Body long and cylindrical, papillated, encrusted with sand or mud.
First 3 chaetigers with long, forwardly directed chaetae.
Brown spines shaped neurochaetae at chaetiger 4.

Species description
Body long and cylindrical, often encrusted with sand-grains or mud. Epidermis papillated, papillae are better developed on the dorsal surface and around parapodia. Prostomium and peristomium retractile, with 8th finger-like branchiae and 2 broad palps. The first 3 chaetigers with long, iridescent, forwardly directed chaetae. Notopodial chaetae all capillary and annulated. Anterior neurochaetae capillary and others 2-5 brown spines, starting at chaetiger 4.

Size
Up to 60 mm for 70 segments.

Color
Young specimens deep orange or rusty yellow; adults greenish, dark brown or steel grey.

Habitat
In the upper layers of the bottom. In sand or mud. Eulittoral to bathyal.

Mobility
Discretely motile.

Feeding
Surface deposit feeder.

Life cycle

Distribution
North Sea to Baltic Sea. Possibly whole northern hemisphere.