A Global Mission

The mission of the Ocean Census is to accelerate the discovery of ocean life to advance fundamental science, empower conservation, and fuel innovation for the future of our planet.

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Gallery

Phylum

OC-SP-0002901

Anglesea - Point Roadknight;31 - Nemertea;BQBAB0010;MRG931-15;Cephalothrix sp. SMSA061;SMSA061;SP03405;AN022389;NMVF290401;PID0248386

Species ID

OC-SP-0002901

Discovered

Phylum

Nemertea

Species ID

OC-SP-0002901

Provisional Species Name

Cephalothrix sp_SMSA061

Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS

Cephalothrix

Lowest Known Rank

Genus

Status

Discovered

Does the taxonomist(s) intend to work on this material further?

3. I/We are not sure yet. This is of course no problem, we will display your species info (if not embargoed) while you work out your species description plan.

Embargo

No

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Nemertea

Class

Palaeonemertea

Order

Archinemertea

Family

Cephalotrichidae

Genus

Cephalothrix

Date Identified

30/12/2025

Taxonomic Remarks

Most known species of Cephalothrix (58 accepted and many more undescribed) look alike and can only be reliably differentiated by DNA sequence data. Resembles and is most closely related to Cephalothrix hermaphroditica, and another undescribed local species, Cephalothrix sp. SMSA097. Not to be confused with an introduced and highly toxic species, Cephalothrix simula, which has a greenish tinge.

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

08/04/2026

Description of Material

Body up to 400 mm long, up to 1 mm wide, thread-like; base color opaque white to orange. Some specimens with yellow or orange patch on head and yellow or orange dorsal stripe on white background. Cephalic lobe 3-4 times as long as it is wide, without ocelli or cerebral organ furrows.

Ecology

High to mid-intertidal, under rocks, among algae (Ulva, Caulerpa, Amphibolis antarctica, coralline algae), in encrustations of the tube building serpulid worm Galeolaria, or with ascidians (Pyura praeputialis).

Distribution

Known from multiple locations along the coast of Victoria, Australia.

Scientific Name Authorship

Maslakova, Svetlana

Anglesea - Point Roadknight;31 - Nemertea;BQBAB0010;MRG931-15;Cephalothrix sp. SMSA061;SMSA061;SP03405;AN022389;NMVF290401;PID0248386

Join the census

The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.