Aquatic Invertebrates of Montana

Tubifex Identification, Distribution and Systematics

Identification

• 1996. Arkhipova, N.R. Morphology of pectinate setae in tubificids (Tubificidae, Oligochaeta). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 75(2): 178-187. (Russian)

  Abstract: The morphological differences of pectinate setae in the similar tubificids Potamothrix hammoniensis, P. bedoti, Tubifex tubifex and Ilyodrilus templetoni are revealed. The shape of the postnodular part (postnodule) and the pecten of dorsal setae in the segments anterior to the IXth one can be used for the identification of immature worms. The detailed information on the morphology of pectinate setae in Potaniothrix hammoniensis is given.

• 1991. R.O. Brinkhurst and S.R. Gelder Annelida: Oligochaeta and Branchiobdellida. Chapter 12 in Ecology and Classification of North America Freshwater Invertebrates. J.H. Thorp and A.P. Covich eds. Academic Press, Inc.
  1. This is a good introduction to the anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution, collection methods and identification of aquatic oligochaeta, but the keys are to genus or even groups of genera only.
  2. Tubifex tubifex and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri can survive 10 ppt salinity.
  3. Adult Tubifex tubifex can form cysts to survive drying for 2 weeks or much longer if occasionally dampened or covered with partially dampened matter.
• 1991. Clifford, H.F. Aquatic Invertebrates of Alberta. (Chapter 12 Oligochaeta aquatic earthworms). The University of Alberta Press, Edmonton, Alberta, 538pp.
  1. After a brief introduction there is a simplified picture key that is fairly well suited for Montana and it provides a quick "feel" for separating the families and the species.
  2. Tubifex tubifex and Ilyodrilus templetoni are very common in Alberta and they are very difficult for nonspecialists to separate.
• 1989. Pennak, R.W. Fresh-water invertebrates of the United States Protozoa to Mollusca. 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (Chapter 13, Annelida)
  1. This chapter has relatively little to offer except for the general introduction. The older keys are better.
  2. Some individuals of Tubifex tubifex can survive anaerobic conditions for up to 120 days.
  3. The cocoon stage is most likely transported overland.
  4. Juvenile Tubifex can produce a protective cyst of mucus, sediment and debris that might also be transported overland.
  5. Tubifex tubifex is widespread and abundant in polluted waters.
• 1986. Brinkhurst, R.O. Guide to the freshwater aquatic microdrile oligochaetes of North America. Can. Spec. Publ. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 84: 259 p.
  1. This is the single best identification guide for tubificids.
  2. Tubifex tubifex is keyed, described, illustrated and compared to other species.
  3. Tubifex tubifex is cosmopolitan, but not as common as frequently reported.
  4. Tubifex tubifex is most frequent in marginal habitats (oligotrophic as well as hypereutrophic) and it often occurs with Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri.
• 1985. Klemm, D.J., ed. A guide to the freshwater Annelida (Polychaeta, naidid and tubificid Oligochaeta, and Hirudinea) of North America. Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque, Iowa 198 p.
  1. This is the second most useful identification guide for North American tubificid and presents and useful independent approach to Brinkhurst's key.
  2. Tubifex tubifex is keyed, described, illustrated and compared to other species.
  3. Tubifex tubifex is indifferent to water quality and can be abundant in grossly polluted waters as well as pristine alpine waters.
  4. Tubifex tubifex is often abundant in habitats supporting few other species.
  5. Tubifex tubifex is apparently rare in the southern USA.
• 1971. Brinkhurst, R.O. and B.G.M. Jamieson. Aquatic Oligochaeta of the world. Oliver & Boyd,Edinburgh, 860 pp.
  1. This is the starting point for modern aquatic oligochaeta work as it provides comprehensive reviews of anatomy, embryology, distribution, ecology, phylogeny and classification up to 1971.
  2. Tubifex tubifex is, fully described, illustrated, compared to other species and all synonyms and all previous literature are listed.
  3. Tubifex tubifex is reported from every continent as are 3 other tubificids.
  4. Small ponds frequently have only T. tubifex and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri as other species may lack their dispersal ability. The details of dispersal are unknown.
  5. Because many species often co-exist in the same sediment, the microhabitats must be of a smaller scale that normally measured by physical sediment analysis.
  6. Worms are strongly clumped together in the sediment.
  7. Chironomid larvae displace tubificids, but the tubificids return when the flys emerge.
  8. Tubifex tubifex occurs in small lakes in the mountains and sub-alpine areas.
  9. Tubifex tubifex is less abundant where there are a larger number of species present.
  10. Tubificid production can be high even when the standing crop is low. An abundance of worm predators may indicate this situation.
  11. An absence of all worms may indicate poisons such as heavy metals.
  12. An abundance of worms with good diversity and few arthropods may indicate insecticides
  13. Worm communities are remarkably difficult to sample in a purely quantitative manner.
  14. Expressing abundance relative to Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri may be useful.
  15. Life history patterns of tubificids are variable and flexible. Many have all stages present at all seasons and most adults probably die after reproducing.
  16. Most individuals of tubificid species are in the upper 2 cm of sediment and very few are found deeper than 10 cm.

Distribution

• 1993. Spencer, D. R.; Wisseman, R. E. Some new records of Naididae and Tubificidae (Annelida: Oligochaeta) from Washington. Great Basin Naturalist. 53(4): 395-401.
• 1978. Brinkhurst, R.O. Freshwater Oligochaeta in Canada. Can. J. Zool. 56:2166-2175.
  1. Lists 79 species including 2 new species and several new records for Canada.
  2. Tubifex tubifex is reported from every province except Nova Scotia and Quebec.

Systematics

• 1994. R.O. Brinkhurst. Evolutionary relationships within the Clitellata: an update. Megadrilogica 5 (10):109-112.
  1. In a new cladistic analysis of an on-going project: the Rhyacodrilinae may need to be excluded from the Tubificidae or both the Naididae and Opistocystidae included with the Tubificidae. The data for Hirudinea and Branchiobdellida is limited, but they appear to be oligochaetes.
• 1991. Brinkhurst, R.O. A phylogenetic analysis of the Tubificinae (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae). Can J. Zool 69(@):392-397.
• 1988. Marchese, M. R. New record of the blanchardi form of Tubifex tubifex new record Muller 1774 (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) in Argentina and its relationship to suggested synonymous species. Physis (Seccion A) los Oceanos y sus Organismos 46(111): 55-58.
• 1986. Chapman, P. M.; Brinkhurst, R. O. Setal morphology of the oligochaetes Tubifex tubifex and Ilyodrilus frantzi (capillatus) as revealed by SEM. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 99(2): 323-327.
• 1985. Holmquist, C. A revision of the genera Tubifex LAMARK, Ilyodrilus EISEN, and Potamothrix VEJDOVSKY & MRAZEK (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae), with extensions to some connecting genera. [in English with German summary] Zool. Jb. Syst. 112: 311-366.
• 1984. Brinkhurst, R.O. and M.J. Wetzel. Aquatic Oligochaeta of the world: supplement. Can. Tech. Rep. Hydrogr. Ocean Sci. 44: 1-101.