Australonereis ehlersi

Prostomium with entire anterior margin. Longest tentacular cirri extend back to chaetiger 3–4. Maxillary ring of pharynx with papillae (sometimes with horny tips); maxillary ring 50–110 papillae in total; papillae solitary. Maxillary ring divided into discrete Areas. Maxillary ring of pharynx without paragnaths. Oral ring papillae absent. Oral ring paragnaths absent. Transverse dorsal lamellae absent. Dorsal notopodial ligule not markedly elongate on posterior chaetigers. Not markedly broader on posterior chaetigers. Dorsal notopodial ligule not markedly reduced on posterior chaetigers. Prechaetal notopodial lobe present. Dorsal cirrus not terminally attached to dorsal notopodial ligule on posterior chaetigers. Dorsal cirrus length about 0.2 times ventral notopodial ligule at chaetiger 10-20. Neuropodial postchaetal lobe present, at least on some anterior chaetigers. Ventral neuropodial ligule on posterior chaetigers reduced, up to half length of acicular neuropodial ligule. Ventral cirri single. Notopodial homogomph spinigers present; sesquigomph spinigers absent. Notopodial homogomph falcigers absent. Neuropodial dorsal fascicle fused falcigers absent.

The following characters states are implicit in all Nereididae species unless indicated otherwise in the description below:

Maxillary ring of pharynx without papillae. Maxillary ring divided into discrete Areas. Maxillary ring of pharynx with paragnaths; paragnaths arranged in discrete areas; Areas II, III and IV paragnaths not in regular comb-like rows (but may be arranged in irregular rows). Area I minute rod-like paragnaths in a compact cluster absent; II minute rod-like paragnaths in a compact cluster absent; pectinate paragnaths absent; minute rod-like paragnaths in a compact cluster absent; pectinate paragnaths absent; minute rod-like paragnaths in a compact cluster absent; smooth bar-like paragnaths absent; pectinate paragnaths absent. Oral ring papillae absent. Ring of oral ring paragnaths present as irregular rows, not crown-shaped. Smooth bars absent; pectinate rows absent; pectinate paragnaths absent; arranged in one or more irregular lines forming a continuous band; Area VII-VIII paragnaths similar in size, or irregular mix of large and small paragnaths in a single band. Transverse dorsal lamellae absent.

Dorsal notopodial ligule not markedly elongate on posterior chaetigers. Not markedly broader on posterior chaetigers.

Ventral cirri single.

A common polychaete in southern Australian estuaries where it is found on mudflats. Often sought by anglers seeking bait. Fragile when handled, often breaking into fragments

Distinguished from other Australian Nereididae by: the ventrum of anterior chaetigers which has rows of papillae connecting with the base of each neuropodium

southern Australia