Image of bloodworms

Description:

These larvae have long parapodia, usually angled toward the posterior of the body. The head is blunt and conical, with a dark pigmented collar around it, and there are four small antennae form a cross at the tip of the prostomium, though these are not always visible. Small jaws can usually be seen through the body wall. We have found glycerid polychaetes (Glycera sp.) on settlement blocks around the periphery of the 9°N vents. These larvae may be that species or possibly another non-vent species.