Varichaetadrilus minutus (Brinkhurst)

Recognition

The dorsal bundles with hair and pectinate chaetae. Only mature worms can be identified. The anterior dorsal bundles have up to 5 pectinate chaetae (palmate to sigmoid) and 5 hairs. The posterior dorsal bundles lack hairs. There are 3-4 thickened penial chaetae that are otherwise similar to the rest. The penis sheath is tub-shaped.

Summary

Formerly included in Psammoryctides. This species may include V. pacificus. A small tubificid (7 - 12 mm).

Distribution

A western nearctic species known only from Lake Tahoe and Alberta's Sturgeon Lake.

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