Marine Species Identification Portal : Eunice dubitata

Fauchald, 1974

Description:
Prostomium bilobed, with a pair of eyes. Five antennae, each irregularly divided into 5-9 sections. Peristomium twice as long as following segments. Cirri of apodous segment annulated, reaching the frontal margin of the peristomium.
Gills begin on chaetiger 3 or 4; with a maximum of 3-4 filaments where best developed; they are absent posterior to chaetigers 37-45. Dorsal cirri divided into three long sections and are longer than the gills (E. dubitata-parapodium). Chaetae of four kinds: 1) winged capillary chaetae; 2) comb-chaetae; 3) compound chaetae with bidentate hooded hooked blades; 4) stout simple bidentate hooded hooks, which start on chaetigers 31-39. Aciculae and hooks black.
Pygidium unknown.
Mandibles strongly calcified anteriorly. Maxillae I: hooked; maxillae II: 6 teeth each; left maxilla III: 8 teeth; maxillae IV: 6 and 8 teeth; maxillae V: unidentate (E. dubitata-jaw apparatus).

Size:
Incomplete specimen with 114 chaetigers 130 mm long.

Colour:
Unknown, strongly iridescent.

Habitat:
On soft bottoms with sponges and on coral in deep subtidal to bathyal zones.

Distribution:
Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean, northern North Sea, Kattegat, Hardanger Fjord, Norway.

Eunice dubitata