Description: This terebellid has a very rounded, soft body which is around 80 mm in length. The body is orange-red in colour and covered in white spots. The gills are a bright red, usually also with white spots, while the tentacles are pinkish in colour. The body is divided into around 100 segments, with 17 chaetigers near the head. There is a lobe near the head that forms a collar, bearing visible dark eyespots. There are 3 pairs of branched gills. There are long branchial stems which are absent in the very similar Eupolymnia nebulosa. It has 17 ventral shields. This worm builds a tube from coarse sand.

Habitat: Lives in a sandy tube under rocks and in maerl beds, from the lower intertidal to around 40 m depth.

Distribution: Distribution currently remains unclear due to previous confusion between Eupolymnia nebulosa and the recently described Eupolymnia gili. NBN data not yet available, but through DNA barcoding this species is known to be present Strangford Lough.

Similar Species: There are other terebellids, especially Eupolymnia nebulosa, which could be confused with this species. In terebellids the number of lateral lobes, and their shape is important, and specialised guides or keys are available. Detailed examination is required, including inspection of number of ventral shields. Identification made in the field should only be to genus.

Key Identification Features:

• Rounded, soft body 50-150 mm long.
• Orange-red, pink or pale brown with white spots.
• 3 pairs of branched, bright red gills.
• Pink tentacles.
• 17 ventral shields.

iNaturalist: Eupolymnia gili at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Eupolymnia gili

WoRMS: Eupolymnia gili at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Eupolymnia gili Lavesque, Daffe, Londoño-Mesa & Hutchings, 2021. AphiaID: 1540731.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Annelida; Polychaeta; Sedentaria; Canalipalpata; Terebellida; Terebelliformia; Terebellidae; Terebellinae; Procleini; Eupolymnia