Paranais litoralis (Muller)
Recognition
Dorsal hair chaetae are absent.
The dorsal needle chaetae begin on segment 5.
There are 4 to 7 slightly elongate ventral chaetae on segment 2 with
the upper teeth longer than the lower.
Segments behind the second have 3 chaetae with equal teeth per ventral bundle.
When mature the penial chaetae on segment 5 are short with curved tips.
There are no eyes. Coelomocytes are present.
The body wall non-papillate, but may have some foreign matter attached.
Summary
The length is 9 to 14 mm, but usually less when preserved.
It is mostly found in coastal brackish or fresh tidal water.
Distribution
A holarctic species that is widespread.
02 JUN 1996 D.L. Gustafson
AIM home page
dlg@rivers.oscs.montana.edu