Potamothrix bavaricus (Oschmann)

Recognition

The dorsal bundles with hair and pectinate chaetae. Only mature worms can be identified. The pectinate chaetae have short diverging teeth. The anterior ventral chaetae have the distal tooth a little longer and thinner than proximal tooth. There is no penis sheath. The spermathecal chaetae are single, and shaped like a short and broad spear when fully mature.

Summary

An uncommon medium sized (15 - 35 mm) tubificid that is generally found in littoral habitats. This species may reproduce asexually.

Distribution

A holarctic species that is reported over much of North America. This species may be prone to being introduced.

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