Opisthosyllis viridis Langerhans, 1879

Aguado, M. Teresa, Murray, Anna & Hutchings, Pat, 2015, Syllidae (Annelida: Phyllodocida) from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Zootaxa 4019 (1), pp. 35-60 : 46-47

Opisthosyllis viridis Langerhans, 1879

Opisthosyllis viridis .— Imajima 1966b: 224, fig. 39; Lee & Rho 1994: 135, fig. 3; San Martín et al. 2008b: 35 –39, figs 26E, F, 27A–G, 28A–F, 29A, B.

Material examined. AM W.45002, MI QLD 2424; AM W.44732, MI QLD 2400.

Remarks. Opisthosyllis viridis may represent a complex of species. Specimens from Japan, Korea and Australia ( Imajima 1966b; Lee & Rho 1994; San Martín et al. 2008b) have posterior chaetae with a minute proximal tooth, gradually becoming almost unidentate. However, specimens from Cabo Verde and Canary Islands (López & San Martín 1994; Núñez et al. 1992) maintain bidentate blades along the whole body length. Additionally, specimens from the Pacific have longer dorsal cirri and posteriorly chaetal shafts become wider. However, the type specimens from Madeira are lost. It was previously reported from Lizard Island by San Martín et al. (2008b).

Habitat. Dead coral, sea grasses, rubble sediment and algae, in intertidal to shallow waters.

Distribution. Japan, Korea, Australia (Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales).