Syllis broomensis

Description. Longest complete specimen examined 5 mm long, 0.25 mm wide, with 50 segments. Slender elongated body, lacking colour patterns. Oval prostomium, with two pairs of red eyes in open trapezoidal arrangement, anterior ones slightly larger than posterior ones (Fig. 1 A), and 2 anterior eyespots. Median antenna inserted near posterior margin of prostomium, between posterior eyes, longer than the combined length of prostomium and palps, with 19 – 23 articles (Figs 1 A, 2 A – B); lateral antennae distinctly shorter, inserted close to anterior margin of prostomium, with 17 – 19 articles (Figs 1 A, 2 A – B). Triangular palps, longer than prostomium, fused at base, with distinct median groove. Nuchal organs forming a ciliary groove between prostomium and peristomium (Fig. 2 B). Peristomium slightly shorter than subsequent segments. Dorsal tentacular cirri longer than antennae, with 24 – 26 articles, ventral ones shorter, with 10 – 12 articles (Figs 1 A, 2 A). Dorsal cirri of anteriormost segments with 22 – 24 articles. Dorsal cirri of midbody and posterior chaetigers alternating long (11 – 21 articles) and short (9 – 11 articles) (Figs 1 A, 2 A). Digitiform, elongated ventral cirri, inserted proximally and reaching distal end of parapodia. Anterior and midbody parapodia with about nine heterogomph falciger chaetae, posterior parapodia with four to five chaetae. Parapodia throughout with one to three dorsal pseudospiniger chaetae, unidentate, with long and thin spines on margin; blades about 84 µm long on anterior and midbody parapodia and 104 µm long on posterior ones (Figs 1 C, E, 2 C, E, G). Remaining compound chaetae shorter, with bidentate blades, both teeth similar, and long, fine, slightly curved spines on margin, reaching level of proximal tooth; blades and shafts of posterior chaetae shorter and wider than those from anterior and midbody parapodia, with shorter spines on cutting edge (Figs 1 D, F, 2 D, F, G). Thick, smooth, distally bidentate dorsal simple chaetae on posterior parapodia only (Fig. 1 I). Ventral simple chaetae not seen. Anterior parapodia each with 4 – 5 aciculae, distally straight or slightly curved (Fig. 1 G); midbody parapodia with two aciculae each, one straight, slightly curved and other acuminate, distally pointed (Fig. 1 H); each posterior parapodium with single, acuminate, distally pointed acicula (Fig. 1 J). Pharynx through 6 – 8 segments; pharyngeal tooth on anterior margin (Fig. 1 A). Proventricle extending through 7 – 8 segments, with about 30 rows of muscle cells (Fig. 1 A). Pygidium conical with two short anal cirri and median stylus.