Peinaleopolynoe is a genus belonging to the family Polynoidae (scale worms).

Members of this genus generally live in nutrient-rich environments in the deep sea, such as whale fall, which is the reason for their name (Greek plural πειναλεoσ, peinaleos; "famished").

They are covered in large, overlapping, kidney-shaped plates (elytra).

[1] The four species discovered in 2020 were described as 'glitter worms'[3] due to their shiny and colorful bristles and plates.

One of the species, P. elvisi, was named after Elvis Presley, as the shimmering plates reminded the researchers of the sequins on his jumpsuit.