Tasserkidrilus kessleri (Hrabe)
Recognition
The dorsal bundles with hair and pectinate chaetae.
Only mature worms can be identified.
There are no modified genital chaetae.
The dorsal bundles have 3-4 hairs and 3-4 pectinate chaetae anteriorly and
1 of each posteriorly.
The anterior ventral bifid chaetae number 3-5 and have an
slightly elongate upper tooth.
The penis sheath has a flared base, elongate apex and lateral openings.
Summary
Formerly in Tubifex and sometimes treated as subspecies or
species americanus (Brinkhurst & Cook) in North America.
A small tubificid (8 - 22 mm) that is uncommon.
It favors cold, deep, oligotrophic areas.
Distribution
A holarctic species that is widespread in Canada and the northern states.
13 APR 1996 D.L. Gustafson
AIM home page
dlg@rivers.oscs.montana.edu