Lanice viridis n. sp.

(Figs 3 G–I, 55–59)

Type material. Holotype: NTM W. 023148, 14°44'37"S, 145°30'43"E, 5 m, incomplete, 12 mm long, ~ 1.5 mm wide. Paratype: AM W.44967, MI QLD 2436, mounted on SEM pin; AM W.47714, mounted on 2 SEM pins, AM W.44611, MI QLD 2400 (photographed alive); AM W.47791, MI QLD 2436; AM W.44281, MI QLD 2367 (2); AM W.47738, CReefs, LI–10–062, MacGillivray Reef, deep reef slope, 14°39'25"S, 145°28'22"E; AM W.47739, CReefs, LI–10–009, MI QLD 2187, North Direction Island, 14°44'43"S, 145°30'18"E.

Comparative material examined. Holotype of Lanice bidewa Hutchings & Glasby, 1988, AM W. 200764. Paratype of Lanice bidewa, AM W. 200687. Holotype of Lanice sinata Hutchings & Glasby, 1990, AM W.203513. Paratype of Lanice sinata, AM W.203514. Non-types of Lanice sinata, AM W.21846, AM W.21847, AM W.21851, AM W.21862, AM W.21866.

Description. In life, bright green body, with buccal tentacles regularly striped with brown and white bands (Fig. 3 G–I); brown spots on buccal tentacles frequently visible in preserved material. Transverse prostomium attached to dorsal surface of upper lip; basal part with few eyespots laterally; distal part shelf-like (Figs 55 C, E–F, I–J, L; 56A, E, K). Buccal tentacles shorter than body, but longer than region with notopodia (Fig. 3 G–I). Peristomium forming lips, hood-like upper lip, short, circular, densely ciliated; short and swollen lower lip, buttonlike (Figs 55 A, G, K–L; 56A–B, E, G–I, K). Segment 1 dorsally narrow, with pair of large lobes directed anteriorly and reaching around 2/3 of upper lip length; lobes almost circular, with thinner membrane at tip ventrally, dorsal margins inserted at level of first pair of branchiae; lobes higher laterally to mouth, mid-ventrally indented to partially expose lower lip. Segment 2 reduced, dorsally conspicuous, covered by lobes of segment 3 laterally and fused to it ventrally. Segment 3 with pair of large, rectangular lobes, lateral and distal margins straight, rounded at corners, reaching around mid-length of lobes of segment 1 laterally; lobes with wide bases, ventral edges fused to upper corners of first mid-ventral shield, dorsal margins inserted at level between dorsal edges of neuropodia and line of notopodia; lobes absent from segment 4 (Figs 3 I; 55A–G, I–L; 56A–B, D–E, G–H, J–K). Anterior segments slightly inflated dorsally. Paired dorso-lateral arborescent branchiae present on segments 2–4, dorsal to line of notopodia, with short branchial filaments branching dichotomously in several levels from secondary stems, and short basal stems; first pair slightly longer, about half body width at segment 2; branchiae inserted progressively more laterally (Figs 3 G–I; 55B–C, E–G, I–J, L; 56A, C–F, J–L). Trapezoidal mid-ventral shields present from segments 2–14 or 15, those of segments 2–4 almost completely fused into single crenulated structure, following shields progressively smoother, slightly crenulate until last; blood red region on segments 12–15; first 2 shields, on segments 2–3 and 4, much wider than those of following segments, progressively narrowing until segment 10, then of uniform width, indented posteriorly by tori, last shield almost inconspicuous (Figs 55 A–B, D, G, K; 56B, G–H). Notopodia beginning on segment 4, extending until segment 20; notopodia short, cylindrical to oblong, notopodia of segments 4–7 inserted progressively more laterally, then longitudinally aligned (Figs 55 A–L; 56A–G, J–K, M; 57A–C). Narrowly-winged notochaetae in both rows throughout, under SEM wings with thin, smooth marginal blade, chaetae of posterior row with wings at distal half (Figs 57 A–C, E–I; 59A–F). Neuropodia present from segment 5, as low, almost sessile ridges until termination of notopodia, as elongate and thin, rectangular pinnules from segment 21, inserted progressively more ventrally, lateral to mid-ventral groove on posterior segments (Figs 55 A–E, G–K; 56A–B, D–E, G–H, J–K, M; 57D). Short-handled avicular uncini, arranged in partially intercalated to completely separate double rows, in back to back arrangement, from segment 11 until termination of notopodia, on segment 20; uncini with elongate base, almost inconspicuous dorsal button at mid-length of base, distally pointed prow curved downwards, and crest with 3 rows of secondary teeth, on segments of region with notopodia, 4 rows after notopodia terminate and 5 rows on posterior segments; stouter uncini on first 3 pairs of neuropodia, on segments 5–7, with more teeth per row, and typically 3 teeth on first row above main fang, middle tooth shorter, following segments with shorter and less teeth per row of secondary teeth (Fig. 57 D); after notopodia terminate, uncini with more teeth per row of secondary teeth (Figs 58 A–G; 59G–L). Nephridial papillae on segments 2 and 3, between dorsal margins of lobes and branchiae, on segment 3, minute genital papillae on segments 6–8, posterior to notopodia (Figs 55 L; 56D–E, J–K, M). Pygidium unknown. Tube unknown.

Remarks. Lanice viridis n. sp. closely resembles L. bidewa Hutchings & Glasby, 1988 as both species lack lobes on segment 4, however members of L. bidewa have lobes of segment 3 with narrower bases, extending from the level of notopodia to mid-length of anterior neuropodial tori, while in L. viridis n. sp. the bases of lobes of segment 3 extend from near the level of notopodia to the mid-ventral shield. The tubes of the new species were not retained, so unknown if the opening to the tube is smooth as in L. bidewa, as often species in this genus have ornamented entrances to their tubes.

Etymology. We name this species after the bright green colour of living specimens (Fig. 3 G–I), from the Latin word “ viridis ” = green .

Type locality. Off North Direction Island, near Lizard Island, GBR, Australia.

Distribution. Known only from the Lizard Island region.