I am looking for any help I can get with the identification of a scaleworm
from the English Channel. It is fairly large - about 180mm in length; the
elytra extend right down the body, but not completely across. The elytra
bear club-shaped papillate protrusions and marginate filiform papillae too.
We think that it is a species of Psammolyce ( it is sand encrusted) - there
is a long dorsal cirrus on the third chaetiger - but have no literature to
identify it more positively. It has come from a sandy gravel substrate,
shallow offshore site. The chaetae include compound chaetae and high
numbers of simple chaetae that give it a fluffy appearance. Any suggestions
would be appreciated.
Marie Pendle and Jane Greening
MAFF Fisheries Laboratory
Remembrance Avenue
Burnham-on-Crouch
Essex
United Kingdom
e-mail j.greening at dfr.maff.gov.ukm.a.pendle at dfr.maff.gov.uk