Biodiversity & Conservation

A bristleworm - Scolelepis squamata

A bristleworm

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Distribution map

Scolelepis squamata recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

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Scolelepis squamata is not listed under any importance categories.

Taxonomy icon Taxonomy Taxon English term
Phylum Annelida Segmented worms e.g. ragworms, tubeworms & fanworms
Class Polychaeta Bristleworms, e.g. ragworms, scaleworms, paddleworms, fanworms and tubeworms
Authority (Abildgaard, 1806)
Recent synonyms None
Map icon Recorded Distribution in Britain and Ireland Widely distributed on most British coasts.
Habitat information icon Habitat information Scolelepis squamata is found in the mid to lower shore of exposed beaches. Found mainly in sand or sometimes muddy-sand in vertical burrows lined with mucus.
Text page icon Description Scolelepis squamata is a slender medium length worm 5-8 cm long and 2-3 mm wide. There are up to 200 segments and from the 2nd segment there are dorsal gills and chaetae almost to the tail end. The worm is a bluish green colour with distinct red vessels in gills and palps (paired projections from head). Head is elongated and conical in front and pointed behind.
Identifying features
  • Slender, bluish-green segmented worm 5-8 cm.
  • 150-200 segments with chaetae and dorsal gills.
  • Red vessels distinct in gills and palps.
  • Head elongated, pointed anteriorly and posteriorly.
Additional information icon Additional information Swims in spirals when disturbed.

This review can be cited as follows:

Anna Neish 2005. Scolelepis squamata. A bristleworm. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 06/09/2010]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=4726>