Paraopisthosyllis phyllocirra Hartmann-Schröder, 1991

(Figs 5 C, 6)

Paraopisthosyllis phyllocirra Hartmann-Schröder, 1991: 27, figs 26–29.

Paraopisthosyllis phyllocirra .— San Martín & Hutchings 2006: 322, figs 55A–F.

Material examined. AM W.44766, MI QLD 2399; AM W.44740, MI QLD 2400, on SEM; AM W.44771, MI QLD 2395.

Description. Longest specimen 5 mm long, approximately 50 chaetigers, some red-brown spots dorsally and laterally and one transverse line per segment of same colour. Dorsal and ventral surfaces covered by numerous, scattered, rounded papillae (Figs 6 A–B). Prostomium oval, 4 eyes arranged in open trapezoidal pattern; lateral antennae inserted near anterior margin, median antenna similar to lateral. Palps folded ventrally (Fig. 6 A). Peristomium slightly shorter than subsequent segments; tentacular cirri similar, thicker and larger than antennae (Fig. 6 B). Dorsal cirri inflated, alternating in position between laterodorsal and lateral (Fig. 5 C); laterodorsally located ones large and inflated, while those arising more laterally smaller and less inflated (Figs 6 A–C). Parapodia sub-rectangular, with several distal papillae. Anterior parapodia with 8–12 compound, heterogomph chaetae with long curved, bidentate blades, with dorsoventral gradation in length of blades within fascicle (Figs 6 D–E). Midbody and posterior parapodia with 7–10 compound chaetae similar in shape, but with shorter blades, all of same length or with slight dorsoventral gradation in length within fascicle (Figs 6 F–I). Posterior parapodia with one dorsal unidentate simple chaeta, and one ventral bidentate sigmoid simple chaeta. Anterior parapodia with 3 aciculae, distally rounded, some distally curved; 1–2 aciculae on posterior parapodia. Pharynx wide, through 5 segments; pharyngeal tooth set back from anterior ring of the pharynx. Proventricle large, through 5 segments.

Remarks. The shape of the dorsal and ventral simple chaetae was not properly described in previous descriptions. Dorsal cirri are not leaf-shaped, as previously described for the holotype, an artefact possibly caused by distortion due to mounting the type specimen on a slide for examination by compound microscopy. First report for Lizard Island.

Habitat. Coralline sand, intertidally.

Distribution. Australia (Queensland).