WoRMS taxon details
Cerebratulus marginatus [Renier], [1804]
122478 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:122478)
accepted
Species
Avenardia priei Giard, 1878 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym (synonym of Cerebratulus...)
synonym of Cerebratulus marginatus species complex
Borlasia alileuti Anadon, 1981 · unaccepted > unavailable name
Cerebratulus angulosus Haddon, 1886 · unaccepted > nomen nudum
Cerebratulus fragilis (Goodsir, 1845) · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Cerebratulus grandis Jensen, 1878 · unaccepted (synonym)
Cerebratulus spraguei Girard, 1893 · unaccepted (synonym)
Gordius fragilis Dalyell, 1853 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Lineus beattiaei Gray, 1857 · unaccepted (Synonym)
Meckelia beattiaei (Gray, 1857) · unaccepted (Synonym)
Meckelia serpentaria Diesing, 1850 · unaccepted > unavailable name
Meckelia siphunculus (Delle Chiaje, 1825) · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Meckelia somatotomus Leuckart, 1828 · unaccepted (Synonym)
Nemertes somatotomus · unaccepted (synonym)
Ophyocephalus bilineata · unaccepted (synonym)
Ophyocephalus bilineatus · unaccepted (synonym)
Polia siphunculus Delle Chiaje, 1825 · unaccepted (synonym)
Serpentaria beattiei (Gray, 1857) · unaccepted (Synonym)
Serpentaria fragilis Goodsir, 1845 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
marine, brackish, fresh, terrestrial
recent only
[Renier, S. A.]. ([1804]). Prospetto della Classe dei Vermi Nominati e Ordinati secondo il Sistema di Bosc [Work No. 25 on the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Works in Zoological Nomenclature; see ICZN Opinion 316; Author and date cited in square brackets because not stated in the manuscript but inferred from external sources; Page proofs of introductory book text in folio sheets, never published]. xv-xxvi [Padua, Italy]. [details] 
Status Validated by the plenary powers.
Distribution Arctic south to Cape Cod and Rhode Island
Taxonomy species fragment easily when handled
Status Validated by the plenary powers. [details]
Distribution Arctic south to Cape Cod and Rhode Island
Distribution Arctic south to Cape Cod and Rhode Island [details]
Taxonomy species fragment easily when handled
Taxonomy species fragment easily when handled [details]
Norenburg, J.; Chernyshev, A.; Kajihara, H.; Maslakova, S. (2026). World Nemertea Database. Cerebratulus marginatus [Renier], [1804]. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=122478 on 2026-06-30
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Nomenclature
original description
(of Cerebratulus angulosus Haddon, 1886) Haddon, A.C. (1886). First report on the marine fauna of the south-west of Ireland. <em>Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Section B: Biological, Geological, and Chemical Science.</em> (2)4:599-638. (vii-1886)., available online at http://www.jstor.org/stable/20635939
page(s): 603 [details]
original description (of Avenardia priei Giard, 1878) Giard, M. A. (1878). On Avenardia Priei, a gigantic nemertean of the West Coast of France. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Series 5, 2(8): 197-199, available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25173209 [details] Available for editors
[request]
original description (of Cerebratulus grandis Jensen, 1878) Jensen, O. S. (1878). Turbellaria ad litora Norvegiae occidentalia. Turbellarier ved Norges Vestkyst. <em>J W Eided Bogtrykkeri, Bergen.</em> 97 pp., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/1582487
page(s): 85, pl. VIII, figs 17-22 [details]
original description (of Cerebratulus spraguei Girard, 1893) Girard, C. F. (1893). Recherches sur les Planaries et les Nemertiens de l'Amerique du Nord. <em>Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Zoologie.</em> serie 7, 15: 145-310, plates 3-6., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/14972612
page(s): 262 [details]
original description (of Gordius fragilis Dalyell, 1853) Dalyell, J. G. (1853). The Powers of the Creator Displayed in the Creation: or, Observations on Life Amidst the Various Forms of the Humbler Tribes of Animated Nature: with Practical Comments and Illustrations. Volume II. xiii + 359 pp., 46 pls. John van Voorst. London., available online at http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/18804951 [details]
original description (of Borlasia alileuti Anadon, 1981) Anadon, N. (1981). Nuevos datos sobre la fauna de nemertinos del norte de Espana (Asturias y Santander). <em>Boletín de Ciencias de la Naturaleza I. D.E.A.</em> No. 28: 219–225. [details] Available for editors [request]
original description (of Lineus beattiaei Gray, 1857) Gray, J. E. (1857). Notice of a large species of <i>Lineus</i>?, taken on the coast near Montrose. <em>Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London.</em> 25: 210., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/58020946
page(s): 210 [details]
original description (of Meckelia serpentaria Diesing, 1850) Diesing, C.M. [[Karl Moritz, usually as Latin C. M = Carolo Mauritio]. (1850). Systema Helminthum. Vol. I. <em>[book].</em> xiii[xvi] + 679 pp.W. Vindobonae, Braumüller, Wien., available online at https://archive.org/details/systemahelminth00diesgoog/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater [details]
original description (of Meckelia somatotomus Leuckart, 1828) Leuckart, Friedrich Sigismund. (1828). Breves animalium quorundum maxima ex parte marinorum descriptiones. <em>[book, perhaps thesis].</em> Heidelberg, Osswald, 24 pp., available online at https://www.google.com/books/edition/Breves_animalium_quorundam_maxima_ex_par/ptxlAAAAcAAJ
page(s): 17 [details]
original description (of Serpentaria fragilis Goodsir, 1845) Goodsir, H. D. S. (1845). Descriptions of some gigantic forms of invertebrate animals from the coast of Scotland. <em>Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Iincluding Zoology, Botany, and Geology.</em> 15: 377–383., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/61866
page(s): 377–378, 383, pl. XX, figs 1, 2 [details]
basis of record Gibson, R. (2001). Nemertini (Nemertae), <B><I>in</I></B>: Costello, M.J. <i>et al.</i> (Ed.) (2001). <i>European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels,</i> 50: pp. 152-156 (look up in IMIS) [details]
original description (unavailable nomenclaturally) [Renier, S. A.]. ([1804]). Prospetto della Classe dei Vermi Nominati e Ordinati secondo il Sistema di Bosc [Work No. 25 on the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Works in Zoological Nomenclature; see ICZN Opinion 316; Author and date cited in square brackets because not stated in the manuscript but inferred from external sources; Page proofs of introductory book text in folio sheets, never published]. xv-xxvi [Padua, Italy]. [details]
page(s): 603 [details]
original description (of Avenardia priei Giard, 1878) Giard, M. A. (1878). On Avenardia Priei, a gigantic nemertean of the West Coast of France. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Series 5, 2(8): 197-199, available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25173209 [details] Available for editors
[request]original description (of Cerebratulus grandis Jensen, 1878) Jensen, O. S. (1878). Turbellaria ad litora Norvegiae occidentalia. Turbellarier ved Norges Vestkyst. <em>J W Eided Bogtrykkeri, Bergen.</em> 97 pp., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/1582487
page(s): 85, pl. VIII, figs 17-22 [details]
original description (of Cerebratulus spraguei Girard, 1893) Girard, C. F. (1893). Recherches sur les Planaries et les Nemertiens de l'Amerique du Nord. <em>Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Zoologie.</em> serie 7, 15: 145-310, plates 3-6., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/14972612
page(s): 262 [details]
original description (of Gordius fragilis Dalyell, 1853) Dalyell, J. G. (1853). The Powers of the Creator Displayed in the Creation: or, Observations on Life Amidst the Various Forms of the Humbler Tribes of Animated Nature: with Practical Comments and Illustrations. Volume II. xiii + 359 pp., 46 pls. John van Voorst. London., available online at http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/18804951 [details]
original description (of Borlasia alileuti Anadon, 1981) Anadon, N. (1981). Nuevos datos sobre la fauna de nemertinos del norte de Espana (Asturias y Santander). <em>Boletín de Ciencias de la Naturaleza I. D.E.A.</em> No. 28: 219–225. [details] Available for editors
[request]original description (of Lineus beattiaei Gray, 1857) Gray, J. E. (1857). Notice of a large species of <i>Lineus</i>?, taken on the coast near Montrose. <em>Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London.</em> 25: 210., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/58020946
page(s): 210 [details]
original description (of Meckelia serpentaria Diesing, 1850) Diesing, C.M. [[Karl Moritz, usually as Latin C. M = Carolo Mauritio]. (1850). Systema Helminthum. Vol. I. <em>[book].</em> xiii[xvi] + 679 pp.W. Vindobonae, Braumüller, Wien., available online at https://archive.org/details/systemahelminth00diesgoog/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater [details]
original description (of Meckelia somatotomus Leuckart, 1828) Leuckart, Friedrich Sigismund. (1828). Breves animalium quorundum maxima ex parte marinorum descriptiones. <em>[book, perhaps thesis].</em> Heidelberg, Osswald, 24 pp., available online at https://www.google.com/books/edition/Breves_animalium_quorundam_maxima_ex_par/ptxlAAAAcAAJ
page(s): 17 [details]
original description (of Serpentaria fragilis Goodsir, 1845) Goodsir, H. D. S. (1845). Descriptions of some gigantic forms of invertebrate animals from the coast of Scotland. <em>Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Iincluding Zoology, Botany, and Geology.</em> 15: 377–383., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/61866
page(s): 377–378, 383, pl. XX, figs 1, 2 [details]
basis of record Gibson, R. (2001). Nemertini (Nemertae), <B><I>in</I></B>: Costello, M.J. <i>et al.</i> (Ed.) (2001). <i>European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels,</i> 50: pp. 152-156 (look up in IMIS) [details]
original description (unavailable nomenclaturally) [Renier, S. A.]. ([1804]). Prospetto della Classe dei Vermi Nominati e Ordinati secondo il Sistema di Bosc [Work No. 25 on the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Works in Zoological Nomenclature; see ICZN Opinion 316; Author and date cited in square brackets because not stated in the manuscript but inferred from external sources; Page proofs of introductory book text in folio sheets, never published]. xv-xxvi [Padua, Italy]. [details]
Taxonomy
status source
ICZN. (1958). Opinion 477 (Case 1095) Validation under the Plenary Powers of the generic name Cerebratulus [Renier], [1804], and of the specific name marginatus [Renier], [1804], as used by the foregoing author in the combination Cerebratulus marginatus (class Nemertea) (Opinion supplementary to Opinion 427). <em>Opinions and Declarations rendered by the ICZN, 16(20): 343-352.</em> , available online at http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34657298 [details] Available for editors [request]
[request]Other
additional source
Gibson, R. (2005). Nemertina DB. Liverpool John Moore University, UK. [details]
additional source Gosner, K. L. (1971). Guide to identification of marine and estuarine invertebrates: Cape Hatteras to the Bay of Fundy. <em>John Wiley & Sons, Inc., London.</em> 693 pp. [pdf copepod and branchiuran :445-455]. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors [request]
additional source Linkletter, L. E. (1977). A checklist of marine fauna and flora of the Bay of Fundy. <em>Huntsman Marine Laboratory, St. Andrews, N.B.</em> 68: p. [details]
additional source Muller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. <em>Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France.</em> 307 pp., available online at http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/145561.pdf [details]
additional source Hayward, P.J. & J.S. Ryland (Eds.). (1990). The marine fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe: 1. Introduction and protozoans to arthropods. <em>Clarendon Press: Oxford, UK.</em> 627 pp. (look up in IMIS), available online at https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198573562.001.0001 [details] Available for editors [request]
additional source Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). , available online at http://www.itis.gov [details]
additional source Bürger, O. (1892). Zur Systematik der Nemertinenfauna des Golfs von Neapel. <em>Nachrichten von der königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften und der Georg-Augusts-Universität zu Göttingen.</em> 5: 137–178., available online at https://gdz.sub.uni-goettingen.de/id/PPN252457072_1892?tify=%7B%22pages%22%3A%5B145%5D%2C%22pan%22%3A%7B%22x%22%3A0.25%2C%22y%22%3A0.854%7D%2C%22view%22%3A%22export%22%2C%22zoom%22%3A0.471%7D
page(s): 171 [details]
additional source Gosner, K. L. (1971). Guide to identification of marine and estuarine invertebrates: Cape Hatteras to the Bay of Fundy. <em>John Wiley & Sons, Inc., London.</em> 693 pp. [pdf copepod and branchiuran :445-455]. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors
[request]additional source Linkletter, L. E. (1977). A checklist of marine fauna and flora of the Bay of Fundy. <em>Huntsman Marine Laboratory, St. Andrews, N.B.</em> 68: p. [details]
additional source Muller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. <em>Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France.</em> 307 pp., available online at http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/145561.pdf [details]
additional source Hayward, P.J. & J.S. Ryland (Eds.). (1990). The marine fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe: 1. Introduction and protozoans to arthropods. <em>Clarendon Press: Oxford, UK.</em> 627 pp. (look up in IMIS), available online at https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198573562.001.0001 [details] Available for editors
[request]additional source Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). , available online at http://www.itis.gov [details]
additional source Bürger, O. (1892). Zur Systematik der Nemertinenfauna des Golfs von Neapel. <em>Nachrichten von der königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften und der Georg-Augusts-Universität zu Göttingen.</em> 5: 137–178., available online at https://gdz.sub.uni-goettingen.de/id/PPN252457072_1892?tify=%7B%22pages%22%3A%5B145%5D%2C%22pan%22%3A%7B%22x%22%3A0.25%2C%22y%22%3A0.854%7D%2C%22view%22%3A%22export%22%2C%22zoom%22%3A0.471%7D
page(s): 171 [details]
Present Present in aphia/obis/gbif/idigbio Inaccurate Introduced: alien Containing type locality
From editor or global species database
Status Validated by the plenary powers. [details]Synonymy Cerebratulus marginatus (partim) = Cerebratulus pantherinus [details]
Synonymy Cerebratulus marginatus (partim) = Paradrepanophorus crassus [details]
Synonymy Cerebratulus marginatus
= ?Cerebratulus angulatus (partim)
= Cerebratulus bilineatus (partim)
= Cerebratulus fuscus (partim) [details]
Unreviewed
Diet generally for group, they are carnivorous; in some cases only the body juices are ingested but the whole prey may be taken in. feed on protozoans, other microfauna and at times prey their own size [details]Dimensions length up to 1 m by 12 mm [details]
Distribution Arctic south to Cape Cod and Rhode Island [details]
Habitat infralittoral and circalittoral of the Gulf and estuary [details]
Reproduction sexes are separate; fertilization is external for most species. Asexual reproduction also occurs by fragmentation [details]
Taxonomy species fragment easily when handled [details]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Danish | bred slimbændel | [details] |
| English | black ribbon worm | [details] |
| German | Schwarzer SchnurwurmSchwarze Nemertine | [details] |
| Japanese | オロチヒモムシ | [details] |
To Barcode of Life (4 barcodes)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Cerebratulus spraguei Girard, 1893)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (118 publications)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (17 publications) (from synonym Cerebratulus fragilis (Goodsir, 1845))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (18 publications) (from synonym Gordius fragilis Dalyell, 1853)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (3 publications) (from synonym Avenardia priei Giard, 1878)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (5 publications) (from synonym Cerebratulus grandis Jensen, 1878)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL)
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Cerebratulus marginatus)
To PESI (from synonym Avenardia priei Giard, 1878)
To PESI (from synonym Cerebratulus angulosus Haddon, 1886)
To PESI
To PESI (from synonym Cerebratulus grandis Jensen, 1878)
To PESI (from synonym Cerebratulus fragilis (Goodsir, 1845))
To PESI (from synonym Gordius fragilis Dalyell, 1853)
To PESI (from synonym Cerebratulus spraguei Girard, 1893)
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Nemertea Collection (36 records)
To ITIS
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Cerebratulus spraguei Girard, 1893)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (118 publications)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (17 publications) (from synonym Cerebratulus fragilis (Goodsir, 1845))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (18 publications) (from synonym Gordius fragilis Dalyell, 1853)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (3 publications) (from synonym Avenardia priei Giard, 1878)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (5 publications) (from synonym Cerebratulus grandis Jensen, 1878)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL)
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Cerebratulus marginatus)
To PESI (from synonym Avenardia priei Giard, 1878)
To PESI (from synonym Cerebratulus angulosus Haddon, 1886)
To PESI
To PESI (from synonym Cerebratulus grandis Jensen, 1878)
To PESI (from synonym Cerebratulus fragilis (Goodsir, 1845))
To PESI (from synonym Gordius fragilis Dalyell, 1853)
To PESI (from synonym Cerebratulus spraguei Girard, 1893)
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Nemertea Collection (36 records)
To ITIS
From editor or global species database
Image from synonym
