Description

"Genus Braniella, new genus
Type Braniella pupa, new species

This genus resembles Brania in that the body is short, small and measures less than 2 mm long. It differs in that it consists of only 9 instead of more than 20 segments. The prostomium is distinct and separated from the peristomium ; it has three short, oval antennae inserted in a transverse row. Palpi are completely fused and directed forward. The pharynx is lined by a smooth chitinized membrane with entire anterior margins; the proventriculus is barrel-shaped. The peristomium is a short ring with a pair of short, conical tentacular cirri; the next segment is the first setigerous one. Dorsal cirri are long, slender, filiform and lack articulations; ventral cirri are similar but much shorter and slenderer. Parapodia are short, truncate and have composite spinigers. The body terminates in a broad ring with a pair of cirriform lateral appendages."

(Hartman 1965)