Key to species of Leodice registered to Australia

1 Acicula and subacicular hooks light (slightly translucent or yellow)............................................. 2

- Acicula and subacicular hooks dark (copper-colored, brown or black).......................................... 10

2(1) Subacicular hooks tridentate............................................................................ 3

- Subacicular hooks bidentate............................................................................ 9

3(2) Subacicular hooks with teeth in tandem................................................... diversidentata n. sp.

- Subacicular hooks with teeth in a crest.................................................................... 4

4(3) Branchiae continued to a few chaetigers before the posterior end............................................... 5

- Branchiae terminating at or near mid-body. Antennae with up to 12 short cylindrical to moniliform articulations.. australis .

5(4) Most appendages of compound chaetae tridentate.................................................... aequabilis

- Most appendages of compound chaetae bidentate........................................................... 6

6(5) Posterior branchiae better developed than median branchiae (either filaments longer than in median branchiae or number of filaments one or two higher than in median branchiae or both)................................................ 7

- Branchiae decreasing in size and complexity monotonically towards the posterior end............................. 8

7(6) Aciculae distally bent......................................................................... torresiensis

- Aciculae distally straight........................................................................ antennata

8(6) Aciculae tapering to pointed or blunt tips........................................................... bassensis

- Aciculae shallowly bifurcate at least in median chaetigers................................................ elseyi

9 (2) Antennae and palps smooth, tapering, without articulations........................................... metatropos

- Antennae and especially palps with cylindrical distally drop-shaped articulations...................... tasmaniae n. sp.

10(1) Branchiae limited to the first 2/3 or less of the body........................................................ 11

- Branchiae present on all except the last few chaetigers of the body............................................. 12

11(10) Antennal articulations cylindrical becoming more or less drop-shaped distally; prostomial appendages reaching beyond first chaetiger............................................................................. jimedwardsi n. sp.

- Antennal articulates angularly monifiliform; prostomial appendages do not reach beyond peristomium............ rubella

12(10) Branchiae in posterior half of body single filaments................................................ bowerbanki

- Branchiae in posterior half with two or more filaments...................................................... 13

13(12). Maximally four short, thick branchial filaments present; antennal articulations cylindrical.............. pycnobranchiata

- Up to 18 filaments present; antennal articulations short, nearly beaded..................................... laticeps