Spio armata (Thulin, 1957)

Synonyms:
Microspio armata Thulin, 1971
Spio armata Hartmann-Schröder, 1971; Sikorski, 2001

Distinguishing characteristics
Branchiae on chaetiger 1 small, slightly longer or as long as notopodial postchaetal lamellae.
Strongly curved hooded hooks with a conspicuous large main fang in neuropodia from chaetiger 17.

Species description
Prostomium anteriorly bluntly rounded or slightly convex, posteriorly tapered. Two pairs of black eyes in a trapezoid arrangement. Branchiae present from chaetiger 1 until almost to the end of body. Branchiae on chaetiger 1, small, slightly longer or as long as notopodial postchaetal lamellae. All parapodia with finely winged capillary chaetae, from chaetiger 17 (14-16, 8-20) also strongly curved hooded hooks with a conspicuous large main fang in neuropodia. Pygidium unknown.

Size
13.5 mm for 63 chaetigers.

Color
Alcohol-preserved specimens with dark brown pigment on anterior part of body.

Habitat
Sublitoral, on clay, sand.

Mobility

Feeding
Surface deposit feeder, interface grazer.
Facultative suspension feeder.

Life cycle

Distribution
North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Arctic Ocean, Western Baltic Sea.