Printed in Great Britain Setal type and distribution in two Australian species of Scyphoproctus (Polychaeta, Capitellidae) and three other capitellids, with a description of Scyphoproctus towraiensis sp.n.

Scyphoproctus somalus (Polychaeta, Capitellidae) was discovered on sandbars on the north eastern side of Heron Island, Queensland. Scyphoproctus towraiensis sp.n. with similar morphological characters to S. somalus had been collected from Towra Point, Botany Bay, New South Wales. Fresh samples of both species were investigated using a number of techniques which have not been commonly used in capitellid taxonomy. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to examine the hood ornamentation of the abdominal hooded hooks, with a view to mapping the distribution of the various patterns seen along the length of the body. Several other genera were also examined for variations in setal morphology. Statistical studies of the setae showed that the setal characters tested were directly related to the size of the animal, but did not contribute to the separation of the two species. Allozyme electrophoresis differentiated between the two species of Scyphoproctus for a number of enzymes.