Specaria josinae (Vejdovsky)

Recognition

Two to 6 dorsal hair chaetae are present, but not serrate. The dorsal needle chaetae are bifid and sigmoid similar to the ventral chaetae and often number more than 2 (up to 6) in anterior bundles unlike Nais and Specaria fraseri. The dorsal needles lack the pectinations of Specaria hellei. Eyes are never present in this genus unlike most Nais. Coelomocytes are present. There are hooked penial chaetae in segment 4 when mature.

Summary

A non-swimming species ranging from 3 to 10 mm.

Distribution

A widespread holarctic species.

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