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Records of the Australian Museum (2009) Vol. 61 
Figure 43. A-H, Spirobranchus richardsmithi n.sp. A-H, from aberrant specimens in AM W21433: (A) anterior end of worm showing 
opercular disc and processes, unfringed opercular wings and pinnule-free tips of radioles; ( B-D ) three views of the operculum of another 
specimen showing the circular opercular disc, abnormal opercular processes, and unfringed opercular wings; (E) bayonet collar chaeta; 
(F) thoracic uncini; (G) anterior abdominal uncini; (H) posterior abdominal uncini. I-K, early juveniles of Spirobranchus richardsmithi , 
from AM W21442.1,J, from smallest specimen: (7) dorsal view of tube with worm in situ, showing the single median longitudinal ridge 
and fine transverse ridges on the tube and the anterior end of the worm; (7) right dorsolateral view of operculum; ( K) dorsal view of 
another juvenile showing left anterolateral view operculum. 
and peduncle 1.7 mm, length of operculum alone, 0.5 mm, 
and the length of abdomen 1.7 mm. 
Tube. Tube colour of holotype: mauve patches on a white 
background; paratypes: one has a darker mauve coloration 
than others; overall colour range of tubes in all material 
studied yellow to yellowish brown, and light to dark mauve. 
Holotype shows a low median longitudinal ridge and 4 or 5 
narrower ones on either side of it (Fig. 41 A), while a paratype 
is similar, but its lateral ridges are less clearly developed (Fig. 
41J); fine transverse ridges present throughout (Fig. 41A,J). 
Worm. Opercular plate in holotype white; pinkish to bright 
pink in older specimens; horns white, pinkish to purplish 
in places. Operculum occurs on left in all specimens; no 
rudimentary operculum on right. Based on several specimens 
