SCALE WORM

any member of the order Aphroditamorpha (class Polychaeta, phylum Annelida), a group of widely distributed free-moving, segmented marine worms. Scale worms range in size from 0.5 to 25 cm (about 0.2 to 10 inches). The order includes the sea mouse (q.v.) and the common scale worm (Arctonoe). The somewhat arched back of the scale worm is covered with flattened pairs of overlapping scales. A proboscis, or snout, which can be extended, has soft, fingerlike projections and four horny jaws.