ID needed on what I believe is a Paddle-worm

[Force Eleven]

Me and Pedro (Yashca) think it's a type of Paddle-worm, but we cannot identify it down to species level. Does anyone have the expertise to help us with this one?

F11

[Dogghound]

Eulalia viridis

[Yashca]

I'd considered Eulalia viridis, but my book of seashore life says they only grow to 150mm, and this one was almost double that.

[Force Eleven]

Thats true actually. It was a long beast. I should've mentioned the worms estimated length in my first post

F11

[Dogghound]

Nereis virens grows to 200-300mm. Thats probrably a better bet then.

[Force Eleven]

Thanks

F11

[Yashca]

Unfortunately my book on seashore life tells me that that is only found on the south and west coasts of England. Is it possible my book is wrong? It has been before.

[Marineboy]

Eulalia viridis is indeed listed at only up to 15cm long. If we can use the winkle and white worm tubes as guides to size, then this worm is much longer than that.
I have had the "pleasure" of handling a big Nereis virens the king rag, (they bite!) and the length may be good, but this worm is not heavy enough.
I reckon we have a Phyllodoce lamelligera. Dark green, up to 60cm long, amongst stones from low water down.

[SteveSmith]

Its certainly not a rag worm, it could be a Phyllodoce lamelligera but I'm not sure they have the dark spots running down the back of the animal (can just make them out at the head end). for this reason I think it might be an Anatides species, maybe mucosa or maculata but its a bit hard to make out from the photo and my keys are at work (I'm not too sure these species get that big either)

[Yashca]

I've been doing some research myself, and I'd considered Phyllodoce laminosa. It is similar to P. lamelligera but it can be found in the North sea. My book says that P. lamelligera is confined to south west England. Does anyone else think that P. laminosa seems a better fit? I appreciate your feedback.

[SteveSmith]

I think you're right with Phyllodoce laminosa, had a quick look at the book at work today and it fits nicely with the colouration and spots, apparently they can reach up to 75cm too!

[Yashca]

Well I'm glad we cleared that up. If I ever find another I'll insist that Pablo takes a better picture with his new macro lens. Thanks for all your help.