Limnodrilus udekemianus Claparede

Recognition

The dorsal bundles with bifid or simple chaetae but no hairs. This is the only Limnodrilus with distinctive chaetae in that the ventralchaetae of 2-4 have the distal tooth thick, long and bent back at almost 90 degrees. All anterior chaetae have the upper tooth thicker and longer than the lower tooth. The penis sheaths are short (length about 4x the width) and they have a simple plate apex.

Summary

These are long worms (up to 90 mm) that are rarely abundant and found in both oligotrophic and polluted waters.

Distribution

This is a world-wide species that is widespread in North America.

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