Prosphaerosyllis papillosissima (Hartmann-Schröder, 1979) n.comb.

Fig. 26A–F

Sphaerosyllis papillosissima Hartmann-Schröder, 1979: 108, figs. 159–162; 1981: 37; 1982: 72.

Material examined. AUSTRALIA: QUEENSLAND. 16 specimens, AM W26931, Hinchinbrook Channel, 18°20'S 146°4'E, tidal flats (mud & sand), S. Dittmann, 18 Nov 1988.

Description. Body minute, up to 1.4 mm long, 0.2 mm wide, 14–16 chaetigers, covered by debris, opaque; papillae large, forming vesicles of different sizes, covering dorsum (Fig. 26A) and ventrum, ventral papillae slightly shorter than dorsal papillae, but large in relation to size of body. Prostomium, palps and tentacular cirri covered by anterior segments, not visible, only antennae visible on some specimens, short, papilliform, distally truncated. Dorsal cirri similar to antennae, difficult to see. Apparently, without eyes. Anterior parapodia each with 4–5 compound chaetae, provided with short, falciform, unidentate blades, smooth or provided with short marginal spines (Fig. 26C), about 11–9 µm long. Posterior parapodia each with 3 compound chaetae, similar to those of anterior parapodia (Fig. 26E), with slightly shorter, smooth blades. Dorsal simple chaetae from chaetiger 1, unidentate, provided with short marginal spines on anterior parapodia (Fig. 26B), smooth on posterior parapodia (Fig. 26D). Ventral simple chaetae on posterior parapodia, smooth, unidentate (Fig. 26F). Aciculae not seen. Pharynx large and short, through about 4 segments; pharyngeal tooth not seen. Proventricle through 4 segments, with 20–23 muscle cell rows (fide Hartmann-Schröder, 1979). Pygidium short, with two short anal cirri (Fig. 26A), basally bulbous. Some females carrying eggs dorsally (Fig. 26A), about 12–14 pairs; eggs also covered by debris, similar to dorsal papillae but distinctly larger.

Distribution. Australia (Western Australia, Queensland).

Habitat. Sand, mud. Intertidal.