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

Fig. 22A–G

Sphaerosyllis opisthoculata Hartmann-Schröder, 1979: 106, figs. 151–153; 1984: 24; 1985: 71; 1991: 40.

Material examined. No material examined.

Description. (Based on original description). Body small, 2 mm long, 20 chaetigers. Papillae small, few and scattered. Prostomium almost totally covered by peristomium; antennae small, inserted on anterior margin of prostomium, near eyespots (Fig. 22A), median antenna slightly posteriorly to lateral antennae. Eyes large, coalescent to each other on each side, located on the posterior part of prostomium, on level of chaetiger 1 (Fig. 22A). Tentacular cirri small, similar to antennae. Dorsal cirri on all parapodia, those of anterior segments short, with bulbous bases and distally slightly elongate. Compound chaetae hemigomph, with short, smooth, unidentate blades (Figs. 22C, 22F). Dorsal simple chaetae unidentate (Figs. 22B, 22E), from chaetiger 1. Ventral simple chaetae similar to dorsal (Fig. 22D,G). Pharynx through 4 segments; pharyngeal tooth located near anterior rim. Proventricle through 3 segments, with 17 muscle cell rows.

Remarks. Although this species was described in Sphaerosyllis, all characters agree with the above diagnosis of Prosphaerosyllis and it is transferred to that genus.

Distribution. Australia (Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland).

Habitat. Intertidal sand.