Lanicola rectangulata n. sp.

(Figs 39–40)

Type material. Holotype: NTM W. 023131, Day Reef, Outer Barrier, 14°28'35"S, 135°32'38"E, 12 m, 13 mm long, 2 mm wide, posteriorly incomplete. Paratype: AM W.44604, MI QLD 2399.

Comparative material examined. Non types of Lanicola lobata Hartmann-Schröder, 1986, MV F.91199, NTM W.3667.

Description. Transverse prostomium attached to dorsal surface of upper lip; basal part without eyespots, distal part shelf-like (Fig. 39 A–G, I–K). Peristomium forming lips, hood-like upper lip, short, wider than long; short and swollen lower lip, button-like (Fig. 39 A, C, G, J–K). Segment 1 dorsally narrow, developed ventrally with high ventral lobe marginal to mouth; anterior margins of segments 2–6 as progressively lower protruding crests ventrally; segment 3 with pair of low rectangular lobes, with straight lateral and distal margins, ventral margins fused to mid-ventral shield of segment 2, with conspicuous scar at line of fusion extending until anterior margin of segment 3, dorsal margins inserted near line of notopodia; from segment 4, lobes absent (Fig. 39 A–G, I–K). Anterior segments slightly inflated dorsally. Paired dorso-lateral arborescent branchiae present on segments 2–3, dorsal to line of notopodia, with branchial filaments branching dichotomously at few levels from short basal stems; first pair longer, more than half of body width of segment 2, dorsally aligned to second pair (Fig. 39 A–F, I, K). Mid-ventral shields present on segments 2–19, rectangular, compact on anterior segments, progressively longer on segments 6–11, then of uniform length until segment 18, last shield shorter; all shields slightly crenulate (Fig. 39 A, C, G, J–K). Notopodia beginning on segment 4, extending until segment 20; notopodia short, rectangular, first pair shorter, notopodia of segments 4–7 inserted progressively more laterally, then longitudinally aligned (Fig. 39 A–I). Narrowly-winged notochaetae in both rows throughout, those from posterior row with wings at distal half (Fig. 40 A–C). Neuropodia present from segment 5, as low, almost sessile ridges until termination of notopodia, as low, rectangular pinnules thereafter (Fig. 39 A–D, G–K). Short-handled uncini throughout, with dorsal button at midlength, distally rounded prow and 3 transverse rows of secondary teeth, on anterior segments, and 2 rows from segment 11 (Fig. 40 D–F). Nephridial papillae on segments 3 and 4, posterior to notopodia, genital papillae on segments 6 and 7, dorsal to notopodia (Fig. 39 B, D–F, I). Pygidium and tube unknown.

Remarks. Lanicola rectangulata n. sp. is the second species of this genus found in Australian waters; the other species is L. lobata, the type species of the genus, which was described from SA. These species differ because L. lobata is a distinctly larger species, with triangular, distally rounded lobes on segment 3, while in L. rectangulata n. sp. these lobes are rectangular and proportionally longer than in L. lobata .

Etymology. We name this species after the rectangular shape of the lobes of segment 3.

Type locality. Day Reef, 14°28'35"S, 135°32'38"E, Outer Barrier, GBR, Australia.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.