Pseudopolydora dayii Simon, 2009

Status
Indigenous, NOT a pest of shellfish

Description
Up to 14 mm for 79 chaetigers, 0.8 mm wide at chaetiger 5. Prostomium deeply incised. Caruncle to end chaetiger 2. Prominent occipital tentacle. 1 or 2 pairs of eyes. Live animals cream coloured, 1 or 2 pairs of triangular black patches on dorsum of chaetiger 5.
Palps extend to 9th chaetiger, pigmented at base.
Chaetiger 1 with long notochaetae inserted anteriorly to prominent notopodial lobes. Modified spines of chaetiger 5 in 2 vertical rows: 4 or 5 pennoned in anterior row, forms weak J-shape with 1 present in posterior row; posterior row with 4 – 6 curved, weakly bristled spines. Notopodia on posteriormost 14 to 22 chaetigers with stout hooks. Hooded hooks start on chaetiger 9.
Branchiae start on chaetiger 6, extend for ½ to ⅔  of body.
Pygidium reduced with four lobes.

Distribution
Southwest to southeast coasts of South Africa

Ecology
Surface fouler of gastropods and sediment in intertidal and shallow subtidal regions. Sometimes found on badly infested cultured abalone.