Spirosperma nikolskyi (Lastockin & Sokolskava)

Recognition

The dorsal bundles with 2-4 hair and 2-4 shorter hair-like chaetae with fine tips. The dermis is densely papillate, opaque and encrusted unless newly shed. The prostomium and first segment are retractile. The anterior ventral bundles have 1 - 3 simple chaetae and 1 - 3 bifid chaetae with the upper tooth twice as long as the lower tooth. The posterior chaetae are enlarged. The spermathecal chaetae are long, thin and hollow ended.

Summary

Formerly in Peloscolex and includes S. oregonensis and S. variegatus. A medium sized tubificid (20 - 40 mm) that is not common. It is found mostly in cold, deep oligotrophic sites.

Distribution

A holarctic species that is widespread in North America.

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