Phyllodocidae are common shallow-water polychaetes. They  are usually associated with hard substrates, e.g. cobbles, stones.

  Their body shows different kinds of colour, such as green, red and yellow. They have long and slender bodies with numerous segments. 

Prostomium

   Prostomium is usually cordiform with a pair of well-developed eyes. They have 4-5 antennae. No palps. 

   Proboscis with papillae.

   The first one to three segments are modified or fused to form peristomium.

   2-4 pairs of tentacular cirri.

   Eversible pharynx always muscular and cylindrical.

Parapodia and Setae

   Parapodia are usually uniramous or sub-biramous with the notopodia represented by a short stalk and large, foliose dorsal cirri.

   Foliose dorsal cirri held erect over the dorsum, rarely with acicula or setae.

   All neurosetae composite; notosetae, when present, simple. 

Foliose dorsal cirri

Parapodia &

foliose dorsal cirri