Autolytus orientalis Willey, 1905

Nygren, Arne, 2004, Revision of Autolytinae (Syllidae: Polychaeta)., Zootaxa 680, pp. 1-314 : 191-192

Autolytus orientalis Willey, 1905

Autolytus orientalis Willey, 1905: 270 , pl. 4, fig. 81, 84.

Description. Types do not exist. Description from literature ( Willey 1905). Length 10–20 mm for 29 chaetigers and a number of developing stolons. Colour and ciliation not mentioned.

Prostomium wider than long ( Willey 1905: fig. 81), with 2 pairs of eyes, anterior pair larger. Eye spots not mentioned. Palps short, not visible dorsally. Nuchal epaulettes not described.

Cirri with cirrophores, cirrophores and cirrostyles do not seem to alternate in length ( Willey 1905: fig. 81). Antennae, tentacular cirri, and first dorsal cirri cylindrical, dorsal cirri from chaetiger 2 flattened.

Aciculae numbering 2. Chaetal fascicle with up to 20 compounds. Compound chaetae with small distal tooth; serration present. Bayonet chaetae not mentioned

Pharynx with 1 sinuation. Trepan with 44 unequal teeth, large and small alternating irregularly. Proventricle with 28 rows of muscle cells.

Reproduction. Schizogamous reproduction by gemmiparity.

Distribution. Indian Ocean. Ceylon.

Remarks. Possibly synonymous with M. pachycera but description not sufficiently good for accurate evaluation.