Dysponetus pygmaeus Levinsen, 1879

Synonyms:
Taphus hebes Webster & Benedict,1887

Distinguishing characteristics
Body minute with clearly visible dark brownish notochaetae.
Antennae, palps and tentacular cirri elliptical, dorsal cirri thick, long and digitiform.

Species description
Body minute, elongate ovate, segments 11-15. Prostomium oval, with 3 short elliptical antennae on anterior margin and a pair of short elliptical palps. Tentacular segment indistinct, with a pair of elliptical tentacular cirri. First 2 chaetigers with dorsal cirri and notochaetae only. Notopodia indistinct, with a radiating bundle of numerous notochaetae. Notochaetae dark brownish, simple. Dorsal cirri thick, digitiform, extending about the length of the notochaetae.Neuropodia short, conical, neurochaetae little longer than notochaetae, compound. Ventral cirri short, conical. Anal segment prolonged into conical cirriform structure.

Size
Up to 2 mm.

Color
Dark brownish notochaetae.

Habitat
Rocky shores. On sand among Laminaria. From littoral to 50 m.

Mobility
Mobile.

Feeding
Omnivore. Predator. Scavenger.

Life cycle

Distribution
Arctic Ocean, Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean, Greenland.