Paranais litoralis (Muller)

Recognition

Dorsal hair chaetae are absent. The dorsal needle chaetae begin on segment 5. There are 4 to 7 slightly elongate ventral chaetae on segment 2 with the upper teeth longer than the lower. Segments behind the second have 3 chaetae with equal teeth per ventral bundle. When mature the penial chaetae on segment 5 are short with curved tips. There are no eyes. Coelomocytes are present. The body wall non-papillate, but may have some foreign matter attached.

Summary

The length is 9 to 14 mm, but usually less when preserved. It is mostly found in coastal brackish or fresh tidal water.

Distribution

A holarctic species that is widespread.

02 JUN 1996 D.L. Gustafson
AIM home page
dlg@rivers.oscs.montana.edu