Aulodrilus pigueti Kowalewski

Recognition

The dorsal bundles with hair and bifid, but not pectinate chaetae. The dorsal chaetae beyond 7 are spatulate in facial view and compressed in lateral view. The first 3-6 dorsal bundles lack hairs and may lack all chaetae. The anterior bifid chaetae have a reduced upper tooth and may look simple pointed. The spermathecal chaetae are paired and spoon shaped, but rarely present.

Summary

A small tubificid (2 - 28 mm), living in reinforced tubes of silty, mesotrophic, weedy areas. Asexual reproduction by budding and fragmentation is common. It often occurs with A. limnobius.

Distribution

A world-wide species that is widespread in North America.

13 APR 1996 D.L. Gustafson
AIM home page
dlg@rivers.oscs.montana.edu