Nipponnemertes pulcher is a nemertean of 9 cm long and 5 to 6 mm wide. The body
is worm-like, slightly flattened, of a colour varying from orange to bright red or brown. The
ventral side is paler. The head is round, laterally lobate with a central longitudinal ridge
and numerous eyes on each side of it. The ridge continues dorsally a little behind the head and ends
where two transverse furrows fuse in a backward V-shape. The ventral size also possesses fusing transverse
furrows with forwards secondary ridges. The body is tapper-ended. It is covered in numerous tiny
cilia which are used for locomotion. Flaming ribbon worm is carnivorous and feeds on small invertebrates.
It lives on sand, gravel, or rocks between 5 and 570 meters deep.
Nipponnemertes pulcher is found in the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, West-Baltic and
the Mediterranean Sea. It is also reported along the North-American East coasts from Canada to florida.
Phylum Nemertina, class Enopla, order Hoplonemertea, family Cratenemertidae, Nipponnemertes pulcher (Johnston, 1837).
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Photograph: © Jean-Michel Crouzet. Published with author's kind permission.
Nipponnemertes pulcher, Ile de Groix, South-Britanny, West of France. Depth 10 meters.
Text: Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2008.
Translation: Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2008.
