Nectochaete larvae. Polychaeta, unknown families.

Size:
Size under dissecting microscope: 250-350µm
Size under compound microscope: 170-380µm

Morphology:
Nectochaetes of several varieties are often present in our plankton samples. Preliminary molecular analyses indicate that more than one family is represented in this group.
Frequency:
Pump EPR 2004: Common
Can be confused with
The smallest Amphisamytha larvae fall in the size range of the nectochaetes and have a similar number of chaetigers. Nectochaete larvae have a ciliary band behind the head and are generally thinner for their length than Amphisamytha.

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