Little leopard

 

We've gone years without encountering this worm, and then during the last few weeks we've found two.  Quite a beauty, isn't it?

For documentation, Eric took these first two images through a microscope.  The entire worm was ~3-4 cm (~1-1.5 inches) long.

 

In-tro-duc-ing Eteone pacifica!

This is a type of paddleworm (Family Phyllodocidae).  I haven't seen a common name for it, but I started calling it the "little leopard worm" because of the nice spot pattern. 

Here are two photos from the field.  This individual had a wonderful purplish color in the mid-section.  [You can click on the images for larger versions.]

 

 

Many thanks to Leslie for assistance with the identification!