Parahaplosyllis brevicirra Hartmann-Schröder, 1990

(Figs, 2, 3, 4)

Parahaplosyllis brevicirra Hartmann-Schröder, 1990: 45, figs 1–5.

Material examined. AUSTRALIA. NEW SOUTH WALES. Maclean, algae, intertidal, 18 Jan 1976, G. Hartmann-Schröder coll. and id., Holotype, ZMH P- 19959; same locality and data, 1 Paratype, ZMH P- 19960; Northeast corner of Clark Island, 33º 51.85’S 151º 14.47’E, encrustation on outside of bottle, 5 m, P. Hutchings coll., 17 Apr 1996, A. Murray id., AM W26328 (1 specimen on SEM stub); 50 m west of Split Solitary Island, 30º 14.0’S 153º 10.8’E, Herdmania momus, rocks, sponges and ascidians, 16 m, P. Hutchings & C. Rose coll., 7 Mar 1992, AM W26341, 1 specimen,; 400 yards south of southern entrance to Jervis Bay, 35º 7’S 150º 46’E, 23 m, P. Hutchings coll., 22 Jul 1972, A. Murray id., 2 specimens, AM W26327; Pontoon 400 m east of The Basin, Pittwater, 33° 36.15'S, 151° 17.82'E, pontoon epibionts, 11 m, M. Capa & AM staff coll., 4 Mar 2009, AM W36259, 1 specimen; White Bay Berth 3, Sydney Harbour, 33° 51.78’ S, 151° 11.00' E, wharf epibionts, 11 m, M. Capa & AM staff coll., 5 Mar 2009, NSW 3399, AM W35528 5 specimens; East side of Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, 33° 50.88'S, 151° 10.5'E, pontoon epibionts, 4.4 m, M. Capa & AM staff coll., 5 Mar 2009, AM W35529,17 specimens.

Description. Up to 10.5 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 128 chaetigers plus a single stolon (AM W26327) with 17 chaetigers (holotype 5 mm long, 67 chaetigers). Body long, strongly flattened, with numerous short segments (Fig. 3 A); opaque, colourless in alcohol, anterior segments of holotype dorsally with dark band (Fig. 2 A); one red spot on ventral base of each parapodium in some specimens, with some scattered red dots ventrally. Prostomium rectangular, proportionally large, slightly larger anteriorly (Figs 2 A, 3B, C); four eyes in trapezoidal arrangement and sometimes two anterior eyespots; two small prostomial lobes (Fig. 2 A). Antennae short, shorter than prostomium, indistinctly articulated; median antenna inserted near anterior margin of prostomium, sometimes directed posteriorly (Fig. 2 A), slightly longer than lateral antennae; lateral antennae inserted just in front of anterior margin of prostomium (Figs 2 A, 3B, C). Palps small, short, completely separate, ventrally directed (Fig. 2 B). Nuchal organs as two ciliated semicircular grooves (Fig. 3 C, arrow). Peristomium dorsally reduced, indistinct (Fig. 2 A); ventrally well developed (Fig. 2 B); mouth on anterior part; two pairs of short, ovate tentacular cirri, indistinctly articulated; dorsal tentacular cirri slightly longer than lateral antennae, ventral tentacular cirri shorter than dorsal ones (Figs 2 A, B, 3B, C). Dorsal cirri all short, rough, indistinctly articulated (Figs 2 A–C, 3A–E), similar in length to parapodial lobes. Ventral cirri ovate. Parapodial lobes conical (Figs 2 A, B, 3E). Parapodia each with two simple chaetae (Figs 2 D, 4B); one long, relatively slender, distally bifid, with fine subdistal serration (Figs 2 D, E, 4B, C), another robust simple, thick, bidentate, with curved, long, large basal spur (Figs 2 D, F, 4B, D, E). Acicula solitary, slender, distally pointed (Fig. 2 G). Pharynx long, slender, with proximal coil (Figs 2 A, 3F), through 9–12 chaetigers, provided with minute pharyngeal tooth (Fig. 2 B) and a trepan of about 12 teeth (Figs 3 F, 4A), surrounded by about six soft papillae. Proventricle long, through about 6–8 segments, with about 28–30 muscle cell rows. Pygidium semicircular; two anal cirri similar to posterior dorsal cirri. Two specimens with short, single stolon, and regenerating segments on ventral side at junction of body with stolon (Fig. 3 D, arrow). A female stolon (AM W35529) is 1.8 mm long, with 14 chaetigers; without natatory chaetae; “head” with two lateral short, unarticulated appendages, two dorsal and two ventral eyes.

Remarks. The shape of pharynx and trepan was not reported in the original description, as well as the presence of the regenerating posterior segments during the development of the stolon. The structure of the pharyngeal armature appeared to be variable, as two of the five dissected specimens had trepan with elongated teeth (instead of triangular) and the pharyngeal tooth was apparently absent.

Ecology. Intertidal to about 23 m, among algae, encrustations, ascidians, and sponges. Distribution. Australia (New South Wales).