(Johnston, 1837)

Description:
Anatomically, this species is very similar to Cephalothrix linearis , however smaller, reaching a length of 50-60 mm or more but only 0.5 mm or less in width (C. rufifrons). The colour is translucent or whitish, with a variable amount of orange, red or bluish-red pigment on the tip of the bluntly rounded head. Occasionally the entire head may exhibit an orange hue.
Well developed parenchymatous connective tissues in the pre-oral regions. Breeding takes place from early spring to late autumn. Newly hatched juveniles possess two small black eyes, but these are soon lost and the adults are eyeless.

Habitat:
Commonly found intertidally beneath stones and boulders, usually in clean coarse sand or shelly sand, less often in black muds. It also occurs among algae, particularly on Corallina in rock pools. In shallow water it may occur on Zostera, but it has also been dredged from sand at depths of 30 m. The species is occasionally found in waters with a reduced salinity, i.e., the lower regions of estuaries.

Distribution:
Known from northern Europe and the Mediterranean. It appears to be fairly common, although it is an inconspicuous species.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Nermertina
Class Anopla
Order Palaeonemertea
Family Cephalothricidae
Genus Cephalothrix
Species Cephalothrix rufifrons

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Cephalothrix rufifrons (Johnston, 1837)

Scientific synonyms and common names

Nemertes Borlasia rufifrons Johnston, 1837
Borlasia rufifrons Johnston, 1846
Gordius gracilis Dalyell, 1853
Astemma rufifrons Johnston, 1865
Cephalothrix filiformis McIntosh, 1869
Polia filum Koehler, 1885
Cephalothrix biocculata Jameson, 1898
Cephalothrix linearis McIntosh, 1873-74
Cephalothrix bioculata Riches, 1893
Cephalothrix rufifrons McIntosh, 1867

Bürger, O., 1895. Die Nemertinen des Golfes von Neapel und der Angrenzenden Meeres-Abschnitte. Fauna Flora Golf. Neapel, 22: 1-743.

Gibson, R., 1982. British Nemerteans. Synopses of the British Fauna (NS), 24.

Hylbom, R., 1957. Studies on palaeonemerteans of the Gullmar Fiord area (west coast of Sweden). Arkiv for Zoologi, Uppsala, 10: 539-582.

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