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California Academy of Sciences
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Nereis latescens Chamberlin, 1919 - Native
This native nereid polychaete occurs both subtidally and intertidally along the California coastline and in local estuaries, often associated with rocky areas, kelp holdfasts, and hydroid colonies. It has been found in San Francisco Bay to depths of 20 meters, but is most commonly seen among dock fouling communities of Central Bay marinas.
Nereis latescens is most easily distinguished from other Bay nereids by the distinctive brown to rust colored pigment on the prostomium and in transverse bands stretching across the dorsum.
The
proboscis, an eversible pharynx shown everted in the photos below,
is equipped with chitinous jaws for feeding.
