Description: Despite its appearance this is actually a polychaete worm, which is perhaps only obvious when the animal is viewed from its underside. It has a broad, flat oval-shaped body that is covered in dense brown or dark grey fur or ‘felt’ on the upper side, and reaches a size of up to 20 cm. There is a skirt of beautiful iridescent hairs around the sides, ranging in colour from green to yellow to bronze, with larger bristles protruding through. The underside is paler, coloured yellow or brown. There are two eyes with a small single antenna in between. Two palps and two small antennae are on the head.

Habitat: Usually found on mud or muddy sand, sublittorally. Often mostly buried with only the back end exposed. Sometimes may be found washed up after storms.

Distribution: Found on all coasts of Britain and Ireland, where there is suitable habitat.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species.

Key Identification Features:

• Broad, flat oval-shaped body.
• Upper side covered in dense ‘fur’ giving a felt-like appearance.
• Beautiful iridescent hairs around the sides of the animal.
• Underside pale yellow or brown.

Distribution Map from NBN: Aphrodita aculeata at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Aphrodita aculeata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Aphrodita aculeata

WoRMS: Aphrodita aculeata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Aphrodita aculeata Linnaeus, 1758. AphiaID: 129840.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Annelida; Polychaeta; Errantia; Phyllodocida; Aphroditiformia; Aphroditidae; Aphrodita