Varichaetadrilus pacificus (Brinkhurst)

Recognition

The dorsal bundles with hair and pectinate chaetae. Only mature worms can be identified. The body wall often has debris in grooves. The anterior dorsal bundles have up to 8 pectinate chaetae and 10 hairs; There are 3-4 penial chaetae that are lightly enlarged with bifid tips. The penis sheath is slightly longer than wide and tub-shaped.

Summary

This name might be included in V. minutus. A poorly known species that is probably restricted to cold water.

Distribution

A nearctic species known from Washington and Alaska.

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