Chaetogaster diaphanus (Gruithuisen)

Recognition

All dorsal chaetae are normally absent only in this genus and sometimes in the very different Ophidonais serpentina. The shape of Chaetogaster is distinctive with large mouth and pharynx and reduced prostomium. Ventral chaetae are missing from segments 3, 4 and 5. This species lacks the reflexed chaetae teeth of Chaetogaster limnaei and it lacks the developed prostomium of Chaetogaster diastrophus. The mouth is thus terminal. There are no eyes or coelomocytes.

Summary

The length varies from 2.5 to about 25 mm. A non-swimming, carnivorous worm that can be cannibalistic.

Distribution

It is a widespread holarctic species.

26 MAY 1996 D.L. Gustafson
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dlg@rivers.oscs.montana.edu