Psammoryctides californianus Brinkhurst

Recognition

The dorsal bundles with hair and pectinate chaetae. Only mature worms can be identified. The anterior dorsal bundles have 3-4 pectinate chaetae that are somewhat palmate with long parallel teeth and 2-3 serrate hairs. The anterior ventral chaetae number 3 to 4 and have a long thin upper tooth. The spermathecal chaetae are parallel-sided, with the fused teeth forming a groove. The penis sheath is indistinct and tub-shaped.

Summary

A rare large tubificid species up to at least 75 mm.

Distribution

A nearctic species described from California and reported in the Great Lakes.

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