Stylodrilus heringianus Claparede

Recognition

The prostomium lacks a proboscis and the chaetae are bifid like Lumbriculus variegatus, but it is smaller and tapering, not prone to fragment, it is pale in life, mature specimens have the tapering penes permanently everted on segment 10 and close together, and the prostomium is rounded and shorter than broad. The chaetae are mostly bifid with the upper tooth reduced. Some of the anterior segments have secondary annulations.

Summary

A medium sized worm (25-40 mm long and up to 1mm wide). It might pass for a tubificid on quick examination.

Distribution

Holarctic, but not reported in central Asia and possibly introduced into North America.

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