Neopolynoe chondrocladiae is a scale worm known from the north-east Atlantic Ocean at depths of about 700 to 2500 m.Fauvel, Pierre. (1943). Deux polychètes nouvelles. Bulletin du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. (Série 2) 15(4): 200-202, in-text figure 1., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/52906546 Kirkegaard JB (2001) Deep-sea polychaetes from north-west Africa, including a description of a new species of Neopolynoe (Polynoidae). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 81: 391–397. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315401004003.
Description Neopolynoe chondrocladiae can have up to around 94 segments with 15 pairs of elytra that bear a marginal fringe of papillae. The lateral antennae are inserted ventrally to prostomium, directly beneath the median antenna. The notochaetae are distinctly thicker than the neurochaetae and possess only simple tips.Taboada S, Silva AS, Neal L, Cristobo J, Ríos P, Alvarez-Campos P, Hestetun JT, Koutsouveli V, Sherlock E, Riesgo A (2019) Insights into the symbiotic relationship between scale worms and carnivorous sponges (Cladorhizidae, Chondrocladia). Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers: 103191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2019.103191
Biology Neopolynoe chondrocladiae has an obligate symbiotic relationship with the sponges Chondrocladia robertballardi and Chondrocladia virgata. The nature of the symbiotic relationship has been debated, but a 2021 study using a multidisciplinary approach suggested that the relationship is mutualistic, proposing that Neopolynoe chondrocladiae may use bioluminescence as a lure for prey which is consumed by both the worm and its sponge hosts.
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