Quistadrilus multisetosus (Smith)

Recognition

The dorsal bundles with hair and pectinate chaetae. The dermis is coarse with widely spaced large and small papillae, but not really opaque. It is more or less encrusted. The papillae are most visible beyond 11 and in the chaetal line. The prostomium and first segment are retractile. The anterior dorsal bundles have up to 3-14 stout sabrelike hairs and 1-5 distinctly pectinate somewhat lyre-shaped chaetae. The anterior ventral bundles have 2-3 bifid chaetae with elongate upper teeth, especially so in segment 2.

Summary

Formerly included in Peloscolex. A medium sized tubificid (19 - 35 mm) that is found in many habitats, but it is most abundant in enriched sites.

Distribution

A nearctic species that is widespread in the east and also reported from British Columbia.

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