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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Desmoscolex

Desmoscolex Claparede, 1863 (ref. ID; 3571)

Desmoscolecida Filipjev, 1929: Family Desmoscolecidae Shipley, 1896: Subfamily Desmoscolecinae Shipley, 1896 (ref. ID; 3571)

Order Chromadorida (ref. ID; 6180)

Family Desmoscolecidae (ref. ID; 5365)

Synonym Eudesmoscolex Steiner, 1916 by Lorenzen (1971) (ref. ID; 878); Eutricoma Allgen, 1939 by Lorenzen (1971) (ref. ID; 878); Heterodesmoscolex Stammer, 1935 by Lorenzen (1969) (ref. ID; 878); Prodesmoscolex Stauffer, 1924 by Lorenzen (1971) (ref. ID; 878); Protodesmoscolex Timm, 1970 by Freudenhammer (1975) (ref. ID; 878)

ref. ID; 878

This species are mainly marine nematodes. Body cuticle with large main rings with desmen and separated by narrower to equally broad or broader interzones; interzones with 1 or 5 annules, naked or provided with a transverse row of hairy spines or pores. Paired sub-dorsal and sub-ventral setae, mainly differentiated in shape and length. Pharynx short cylindrical, extending to the 2nd and 3rd main ring in 17-18-ring species. Intestine posteriorly with (exceptionally without) postrectal overlapping. Female reproductive system didephlic-amphidelphic, one spermatheca on each side. Juveniles with homonomous annulation, annules provided with spines or warts. In the majority of the Desmoscolex-species the sub-dorsal and sub-ventral somatic setae differ both in shape and length. However, recently, several species were found where the differentiation in shape and structure was secondarily lost, e.g. in D. macrophasmatus Decraemer, 1984, D. abyssorum Decraemer, 1984, D. curvespiculatus Decraemer, 1984, D. macramphis Decraemer, 1984. In Desmoscolex-juveniles, the specimens from soil and freshwater habitats possess body annules provided with warts; the marine specimens have body annules with hairy spines. See Desmolorenzenia. (ref. ID; 878)

ref. ID; 3571

Type species

Desmoscolex minutus Claparede, 1863 (ref. ID; 3571)
  1. Desmoscolex abyssorum Decraemer, 1984 (ref. ID; 878)
  2. Desmoscolex adelphus Greeff, 1869
    See; Tricoma adelpha (ref. ID; 3571)
  3. Desmoscolex adenotrichus Lorenzen, 1969 (ref. ID; 3571)
  4. Desmoscolex adriaticus Schepotieff, 1907 (ref. ID; 3571)
  5. Desmoscolex amaurus Lorenzen, 1972 (ref. ID; 2376 original paper, 3571)
  6. Desmoscolex americanus Chitwood, 1936 (ref. ID; 2376, 3571)
  7. Desmoscolex annulatus Schepotieff, 1907 (ref. ID; 3571)
  8. Desmoscolex aquaedulcis Stammer, 1935 (ref. ID; 877, 3571)
  9. Desmoscolex bacescui Paladian & Andriescu, 1963
    See; Tricoma bacescui (ref. ID; 3571)
  10. Desmoscolex balticus Lorenzen, 1971 (ref. ID; 3571)
  11. Desmoscolex bathybius Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  12. Desmoscolex bengalensis Timm, 1961 (ref. ID; 3571)
  13. Desmoscolex bergensis Schepotieff, 1907
    See; Tricoma bergensis (ref. ID; 3571)
  14. Desmoscolex borealis Kreis, 1963 (ref. ID; 3571)
  15. Desmoscolex brevirostris Southern, 1914
    See; Tricoma brevirostris (ref. ID; 3571)
  16. Desmoscolex californicus Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  17. Desmoscolex californiensis (ref. ID; 3571)
    Syn; Eudesmoscolex californicus Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  18. Desmoscolex campbelli Allgen, 1946 (ref. ID; 3571)
  19. Desmoscolex chaetogaster Greeff, 1869 (ref. ID; 3571)
  20. Desmoscolex conurus Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  21. Desmoscolex cosmopolites Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  22. Desmoscolex cristatus (Allgen, 1932) Lorenzen, 1971 (ref. ID; 3571)
  23. Desmoscolex curvespiculatus Decraemer, 1984 (ref. ID; 878)
  24. Desmoscolex draconemoides Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  25. Desmoscolex dussarti Juget, 1969 (ref. ID; 877, 3571)
    Syn; Pareudesmoscolex lacustris Juget, 1969 (ref. ID; 877)
  26. Desmoscolex elongatus Panceri, 1876
    See; Tricoma elongata (ref. ID; 3571)
  27. Desmoscolex eurycricus Filipjev, 1922
    See; Quadricoma eurycricus (ref. ID; 3571)
  28. Desmoscolex falcatus Lorenzen, 1972 (ref. ID; 2376 original paper, 3571)
  29. Desmoscolex falklandiae Allgen, 1952
    See; Quadricoma falklandiae (ref. ID; 3571)
  30. Desmoscolex fennicus Lorenzen, 1969 (ref. ID; 877, 3123 original paper, 3571)
  31. Desmoscolex frontalis Gerlach, 1952
    See; Quadricoma frontalis (ref. ID; 3571)
  32. Desmoscolex gerlachi Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  33. Desmoscolex gladisetosus Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  34. Desmoscolex grandiamphis Inglis, 1968 (ref. ID; 3571)
  35. Desmoscolex greeffi Reinhard, 1881
    See; Quadricoma greeffi (ref. ID; 3571)
  36. Desmoscolex hupferi Steiner, 1916
    See; Quadricoma hupferi (ref. ID; 3571)
  37. Desmoscolex italicus Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  38. Desmoscolex keiensis Kreis, 1934 (ref. ID; 3571)
  39. Desmoscolex klatti Allgen, 1954 (ref. ID; 3571)
  40. Desmoscolex koloensis Decraemer, 1985 (ref. ID; 877 original paper)
  41. Desmoscolex labiosus Lorenzen, 1969 (ref. ID; 3123 original paper, 3571)
  42. Desmoscolex laevis Kreis, 1928 (ref. ID; 2376, 2383, 3571)
    Syn; Desmoscolex paraminutus Chitwood, 1936 (ref. ID; 3571)
  43. Desmoscolex lanuginosus Panceri, 1876 (ref. ID; 3571)
  44. Desmoscolex latus Allgen, 1952 (ref. ID; 3571)
  45. Desmoscolex lemani Juget, 1969 (ref. ID; 877, 3571)
  46. Desmoscolex leptus Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  47. Desmoscolex lissus Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  48. Desmoscolex litoralis Allgen, 1934
    See; Tricoma litoralis (ref. ID; 3571)
  49. Desmoscolex longiamphis Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  50. Desmoscolex longirostris Southern 1914
    See; Tricoma longirostris (ref. ID; 3571)
  51. Desmoscolex longisetosus Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  52. Desmoscolex luteocola (Chitwood, 1951) Lorenzen, 1971 (ref. ID; 3571)
    Syn; Eudesmoscolex luteocola Chitwood, 1951 (ref. ID; 3571)
  53. Desmoscolex macramphis Decraemer, 1984 (ref. ID; 878)
  54. Desmoscolex macrophasmatus Decraemer, 1984 (ref. ID; 878)
  55. Desmoscolex max Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  56. Desmoscolex maximus Schepotieff, 1907
    See; Tricoma maxima (ref. ID; 3571)
  57. Desmoscolex medius Reinhard, 1881
    See; Quadricoma media (ref. ID; 3571)
  58. Desmoscolex michaelseni Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  59. Desmoscolex minor Schepotieff, 1907 (ref. ID; 3571)
  60. Desmoscolex minutus Claparede, 1863 (ref. ID; 878, 3571) reported year? (ref. ID; 5365)
  61. Desmoscolex (Desmolorenzenia) montana Decraemer & Sturhan, 1982 (ref. ID; 877)
  62. Desmoscolex nanellus (Allgen, 1939) Lorenzen, 1971 (ref. ID; 3571)
    Syn; Eutricoma nanella Allgen, 1939 (ref. ID; 3571)
  63. Desmoscolex nanus Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  64. Desmoscolex nematoides Greeff, 1869
    See; Tricoma nematoides (ref. ID; 3571)
  65. Desmoscolex norvegicus Schepotieff, 1907
    See; Tricoma norvegica (ref. ID; 3571)
  66. Desmoscolex oligochaetus (Steiner, 1916) Lorenzen, 1971 (ref. ID; 3571)
    Syn; Eudesmoscolex oligochaetus Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  67. Desmoscolex papillosus (Schulz, 1935)
    See; Pareudesmoscolex papillosus (ref. ID; 3571)
  68. Desmoscolex parafalklandiae Allgen, 1955 (ref. ID; 3571)
  69. Desmoscolex parakoloensis (ref. ID; 877)
  70. Desmoscolex paraminutus Chitwood, 1936
    See; Desmoscolex laevis (ref. ID; 3571)
  71. Desmoscolex pelophilus Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  72. Desmoscolex petalodes Lorenzen, 1972 (ref. ID; 2376 original paper, 3571)
  73. Desmoscolex platycricus Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  74. Desmoscolex polydesmus Southern, 1914
    See; Tricoma polydesmos (ref. ID; 3571)
  75. Desmoscolex prampramensis Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  76. Desmoscolex (Protricomoides) pravus Decraemer, 1985 (ref. ID; 878 original paper)
  77. Desmoscolex proboscis Lorenzen, 1972 (ref. ID; 2376 original paper, 3571)
  78. Desmoscolex profundus Schepotieff, 1907
    See; Tricoma profunda (ref. ID; 3571)
  79. Desmoscolex pussilus Lorenzen, 1969 (ref. ID; 3123 original paper, 3571)
  80. Desmoscolex quadricomoides Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  81. Desmoscolex remifer Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  82. Desmoscolex robustus (subsp.)
    See; Desmoscolex prampramensis subsp. robustus (ref. ID; 3571)
  83. Desmoscolex rostratus Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  84. Desmoscolex rudolphi Steiner, 1916 (ref. ID; 3571)
  85. Desmoscolex scanicus Allgen, 1935
    See; Quadricoma scanica (ref. ID; 3571)
  86. Desmoscolex sieveri (ref. ID; 877)
    Syn; Desmoscolex vanoyei sensu Lorenzen, 1969 (ref. ID; 877)
  87. Desmoscolex (Protricomoides) squamosus (Timm, 1970) (ref. ID; 878)
  88. Desmoscolex strandi Allgen, 1939
    See; Tricoma strandi (ref. ID; 3571)
  89. Desmoscolex tenuiseta Filipjev, 1922 (ref. ID; 3571)
  90. Desmoscolex vanoyei De Coninck, 1943 (ref. ID; 3123, 3571)
  91. Desmoscolex velifer Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
  92. Desmoscolex vinealis Weischer, 1962 (ref. ID; 877, 3571)
    Syn; Pareudesmoscolex verrucosus Weischer, 1962 (ref. ID; 877)
  93. Desmoscolex vittatus Lorenzen, 1969 (ref. ID; 2376, 3123 original paper)
    See; Quadricoma vittata (ref. ID; 3571)

Desmoscolex aquaedulcis Stammer, 1935 (ref. ID; 877, 3571)

Descriptions

Freshwater. (ref. ID; 877)

Desmoscolex dussarti Juget, 1969 (ref. ID; 877, 3571)

Synonym

Pareudesmoscolex lacustris Juget, 1969 (ref. ID; 877)

Descriptions

Freshwater nematode. Both type species of Pareudesmoscolex lacustris could not be identified with certainty as females: according to the author the vulva nor the genital system were observed. Upon a study of type material, both specimens were recognized as juveniles, despite their relatively poor inner condition. They represent a juvenile stage of Desmoscolex dussarti and are characterized by a body cuticle with low annules bearing warts. They have a similar habitus as the adults, a comparable shape and structure of the head, the amphids, the cephalic and somatic setae. Moreover, they were found at the same locality as D. dussarti, only based upon females. Consequently P. lacustris is a junior synonym of D. dussarti. (ref. ID; 877)

Desmoscolex koloensis Decraemer, 1985 (ref. ID; 877 original paper)

Diagnosis

Desmoscolex koloensis sp. nov. is characterized by its habitus with 18 main rings and a broadly rounded head-shape, by its setal pattern; typical in male, without sub-ventral setae in female, by its copulatory apparatus, by its juveniles with a homonomous annulation of the body cuticle, which is provided with warts. Desmoscolex koloensis sp. nov. resembles D. montana, and D. parakoloensis in habitus, and in rounded head shape with cephalic setae anteriorly inserted on the head. It differs also from those species by the number and arrangement of the somatic setae: 8 pairs of subventral setae in males instead of 4 in D. montana (male) and 4 to 5 in D. parakoloensis (male); without subventral setae in females instead of 1 pair in D. montana (female) and by the copulatory apparatus being nearly twice as long and slenderer than in D. parakoloensis. It further differs from D. montana by the absence of labial setae, by its smooth amphids, and by sexual dimorphism in the setal pattern. (ref. ID; 877)

Descriptions

Body short, tapering towards the extremities. Cuticle with 18 (1 male and 1 female with 17 rings, 1 female with 19 rings if counted dorsally) desmoscolecoid main rings separated by mainly equally broad interzones with 2-3 annules; each annule provided with a transverse rim formed by minute pores and fine concretion material. Head more or less rounded, wider than long; cuticle thin, covered by a thick layer of fine granular material except in slightly protruding stomatal region and in the lateral part covered by the amphids. Cephalic setae 8-9.5 µm long, short, with wider basal part tapered to a pointed tip; they are inserted directly on the head cuticle on the front of the head adjacent to the labial region. Amphids vesicular, largely covering the head laterally and anteriorly extending to the insertion of the cephalic setae. Amphideal pore small, at posterior border of naked zone of the lateral head region. Somatic setae differ; the sub-dorsal setae have a broad basal shaft and a narrower tubular distal end, whereas the sub-ventral setae taper to a fine open tip. The sub-dorsal setae on main ring 1 are slightly longer than the other setae, the last pair of sub-dorsal setae are the longest. The subventral setae are shorter and about equally long. Stoma minute. Digestive system typical for the genus. Pharyngo-intestinal junction between main rings 2 and 3 or at the level of main ring 3. Intestine overlapping the rectum by a long blindsac reaching the endring. Finely granular pseudocoelomocytes with pale nucleus may be present along the narrower ventricular region of the intestine. Pigment spots, small irregularly shaped to rounded structures, situated between main rings 4 and 5 or at the level of main ring 4 or 5. Tail consisting mainly of three main rings (except one male with 2 rings, one female with 4 rings if counted ventrally). Endring gradually tapering to a minute or a tube- like naked spinneret, 1.5-5.5 µm long. Phasmata not observed. (ref. ID; 877)
  • Male: Arrangement of the somatic setae in holotype male: [sub-dorsal] right side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 = 9/ left side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 = 9 [sub-ventral] right side: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15 = 8/ left side: 2, 4*, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15 = 8. Reproductive system typical for the genus, i.e. with a single testis. Spicules, 24-29 µm long, nearly straight, relatively stout structures. Gubernaculum not observed. Cloacal tube prominent, protruding from the medioventral body wall in main ring 15. (ref. ID; 877)
  • Female: Arrangement of the somatic setae in a female specimen: [sub-dorsal] right side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 = 9/ left side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 = 9. No sub-ventral setae. Reproductive system didelphic-amphidelphic, with outstretched branches. Two large rounded spermathecae with large spematozoa. Vulva at the posterior end of main ring 10, situated respectively at 50%, 46%, 43% and 42% of the total body length from the anterior end in four specimens. Anal tube protruding from the medio-ventral body wall at the posterior border of main ring 15. (ref. ID; 877)
  • Juvenile: Two different juvenile stages were distinguished by the number and arrangement of the somatic setae, the number of cuticular rings and the development of the genital system.

    Desmoscolex lemani Juget, 1969 (ref. ID; 877, 3571)

    Descriptions

    Freshwater. (ref. ID; 877)

    Desmoscolex (Desmolorenzenia) montana Decraemer & Sturhan, 1982 (ref. ID; 877)

    Descriptions

    Terrestrial. The type specimen of D. montana possess 18 quadricomoid main rings with an abrupt inversion of direction of the main rings within the double conical-shaped main ring 14. (ref. ID; 877)

    Desmoscolex parakoloensis (ref. ID; 877)

    Diagnosis

    Desmoscolex parakoloensis sp. nov. is characterized by its habitus and oval head-shape with short, anteriorly inserted and anteriorly directed cephalic setae, by the short spicules and by the number and arrangement of the somatic setae (9 pairs of sub-dorsal, 4-5 pairs of sub-ventral setae). Desmoscolex parakoloensis sp. nov. closely resembles D. koloensis in habitus, structure and ornamentation of the body cuticle and general head-shape. It differs mainly in number and arrangement of the somatic setae and in spicule shape. It is slenderer and slightly shorter than D. koloensis. It has somewhat shorter cephalic setae and somatic setae while its spicules are only half as long as in D. koloensis. D. parakoloensis was found together with D. koloensis. The males of both species can be easily differentiated. The female specimens found in this sample were all very similar. Two specimens were smaller with shorter somatic setae, similar to D. parakoloensis (males). Since these differences can hardly by considered as of diagnostic importance, all female specimens were considered to belong to the same species i.e. D. koloensis. (ref. ID; 877)

    Descriptions

  • Male: Body short, relatively slender, tapering towards the extremities. Cuticle with 18 desmoscolecoid main rings composed of a finely granular desmos with a few coarse particles upon two (three) cuticular annules. Main rings separated by narrower 9cf tail to wider interzones with two to three annules; each annule with a transverse row of pores, sometimes visible as a rim of secretion. Head more or less oval-shaped in side view, almost twice as wide as long. Cuticle thin, covered by a finely granular desmos except in labial region and central part covered by the amphids. Cephalic setae short, tapered distally to a fine tip, inserted directly on the frontal head cuticle. Amphids vesicular, largely covering the head laterally, anteriorly extending to the extreme border. Amphidial pore small, situated in posterior head region. Arrangement of somatic setae in holotype male: sub-dorsal, [right side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 = 9/ left side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 = 9], sub-ventral, [right side: -, 4, -, -, 10, 12, 14 - = 4/ left side: -, 4, -, 8, -, 12, 14, - = 4] in paratype male: sub-dorsal [right side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 = 9/ left side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 = 9] sub-ventral [right side: 2, 4, -, -, 10, 12, 14, - = 5/ left side; 2, 4, -, -, 10, 12, 14, - = 5] with sub-ventral setae on main ring 14 (left body side) shifted laterally. Somatic setae short and stout setae. The longer sub-dorsal ones with wider basal shaft and fine tubular distal end with open tip, whereas the sub-ventral ones taper to a fine open tip. Last sub-dorsal setae longer than the other setae. Digestive system typical for the genus pharyngo-intestinal junction opposite main ring 2 in holotype; intestine overlapping the rectum for one main ring. Cloacal tube small, protruding from the medio-ventral body wall in main ring 15. Reproductive system typical for the genus i.e. with one testis. Spicules short (15 µm), almost straight structures, tapered distally to a pointed tip; capitulum hardly marked. Gubernaculum not observed. Tail tapering posteriorly, consisting of three main rings. Terminal ring, 21-23 µm long, completely surrounded by desmos and slightly tapering to a naked minute spinnerte, 1.5-2 µm long. Phasmata not observed. (ref. ID; 877)
  • Female: Unknown. (ref. ID; 877)

    Desmoscolex (Protricomoides) pravus Decraemer, 1985 (ref. ID; 878 original paper)

    Diagnosis

    Desmoscolex pravus sp. nov. is characterized by 1. its habitus: a short stout body with 82-84 annules in male, 74-75 in female, and provided with complete main rings, partial rings or small patches of concretion 2. its head-shape and short cephalic setae; 3. The shape of the endring and large phasmata and 4. by the length and shape of the copulatory apparatus D. pravus sp. nov. resembles D. squamosus Timm, 1970 in habitus and in structure and ornamentation of the body cuticle. It differs from D. squamosus in the number of body annules in male, in the head-shape and the short cephalic setae, in the shape of the endring and in the longer spicules (38 µm against 24 µm in D. squamosus. Considering the ornamentation of the body annules D. pravus is closer to the typical Desmoscolex-habitus than D. squamosus due to the presence of a large number of covered rings, especially in the male specimen. (ref. ID; 878)

    Descriptions

  • Male: Body relative small and stout, with 82-84 annules. In anterior and posterior body region body cuticle provided with demoscolecoid rings i.e. main rings (an annule covered by a band of desmos) separated by naked interzones of 1 or 2 annules. On the rest of the body each annule is provided with a continuous band of desmos or with small patches of concretion (= discontinuous desmos). Concretion rings or desmos are more prominent on annules bearing somatic setae. Desmos composed of secretion and finely granularer material; each annule provided with a row of minute pores, tubes? of secretion. Somatic setae without difference, inserted on high peduncles; they taper distally to an open tip. Sub-dorsal setae on the tail are elongated especially the terminal pair; pair of sub-ventral setae on anal ring also longer than the other setae. Arrangement of somatic setae in holotype; sub-dorsal [right side (84 annules); 4 11 19 29 38 49 60 77 84 = 9/ left side 4 10 18 27 36 48 58 77 85 = 9]. Sub-ventral [right side (82 annules); 8 16 25 33 45 57 68 74 = 8/ left side 8 16 25 33 45 57 68 74 = 8]. First pair of sub-ventral setae shifted sublaterally. Each somatic seta is connected with a finely granular glandcell, over with large pale nucleus. Head, about as wide as long, with a covered rounded posterior part, and a naked tapered anterior part. Naked anterior part surrounded by a thinwalled border. Labial region presumably with lips and six minute labial papillae. Cephalic setae short, directly inserted on the head cuticle in posterior half of the head. Amphids large vesicular, mainly lying upon the covered posterior head region. Stoma small. Pharynx desmoscolecoid. Pharyngo intestinal junction opposite the 4th main ring. Intestine with fine and large globular inclusions; several granules are dark-brownish coloured and form an almost continuos colourstrain in the ventral intestinal wall. Intestine with short postrectal blindsac. Cloacal tube large, clearly protruding from the medio-ventral body wall in the enlarged annule 74. A relative large, dark yellowish pigment spot at the level of annules 18-19. Reproductive system typical for the Desmoscolecinae, i.e. with one testis. Spicules, 38 µm long, nearly straight structures distally tapered to a pointed tip and proximally with a slightly marked capitulum. Tail with three main rings. Terminal ring, 32 µm long, almost entirely orientated ventrally and except for a short spinneret, completely covered with a finely granular substance. Oval phasmata, large, prominent. (ref. ID; 878)
  • Female: Body larger than in male and stout, with 75-77 annules. Body annules as in male, with even more annules provided with patches of discontinuous desmos. Somatic setae as in male, are arranged as follows: Sub-dorsal [right side (77 annules); 5 12 20 30 40 50 61 74 77 = 9/ left side (75 annules) 5 12 20 29 38 49 61 72 75 = 9]. Sub-ventral [right side (77 annules) 8 16 24 33 44 54 65 70 = 8/ left side (75 annules) 6 14 22 32 42 52 63 67 = 8]. Head, cephalic setae and amphidis as in male. Digestive system as in male. Pharyngo-intestinal junction at the level of annule 8. Anal tube largely protruding from the medio-ventral body wall in annule 70 (right side), between annules 67-68 (left side). Pigment spots situated at the level of annule 12 (right side). Reproductive system didelphic-amphidelphic, with outstretched branches. Vulva in ring 44 (left side), 46 (right side), i.e. at 59% of the total body length from anterior. Two large rounded spermathecae filled with spermatozoids. Tail with two complete main rings and a partiale main ring laterodorsally. Endring, 41 µm long, tapered to a naked, 7.5 µm long spinneret. Large phasmata present. (ref. ID; 878)

    Desmoscolex sieveri (ref. ID; 877)

    Synonym

    Desmoscolex vanoyei sensu Lorenzen, 1969 (ref. ID; 877)

    Descriptions

    This species have 17 main rings separated by wide interzones with low annules; in anterior region each annule with a row of minute hairy spines. Arrangement of somatic setae in male; sub-dorsal [right side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17 = 9/ left side 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17 = 9] sub-ventral [right side: 2, 4, 6, 8, -, 12, -, 15 = 6/ left side: 2, 4, 6, 8, -, 12, -, 15 = 6]. Arrangement of somatic setae in female; sub-dorsal [right side: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17 = 9/ left side 1, -, 5, 6, 9, 11, -, 16, 17 = 7] sub-ventral [right side: 2, 4, 6, 8, -, -, -, 15 = 5/ left side: 2, 4, 6, 8, -, -, -, 15 = 6]. The vulva lies in the interzone between main rings 10 and 11 i.e. close to ring 10, it means at 55% of the total body length from anterior. Head anteriorly with narrower stomatal region with slightly raised anterior border. (ref. ID; 877)

    Desmoscolex (Protricomoides) squamosus (Timm, 1970) n. comb. (ref. ID; 878)

    Diagnosis

    This species is characterized by the annulation and ornamentation of the body cuticles, by its head shape, the shape and arrangement of the somatic setae and by the copulatory apparatus. (ref. ID; 878)

    Descriptions

    Body small, tapered at both ends. Cuticle annulated, only the two anterior and the three posterior main rings are complete, i.e. covered with a continuous narrow or wide layer of secretion and concretion material. When counting the complete main rings as single annules, the body cuticle has 70-71 annules in the holotype male and 73 annules in the paratype female. The annules are provided with a transverse row of pores (minute tubes) with some aggregation of secretion and concretion particles around them, at the level of the insertion of the somatic setae the layer of concretion is larger. In the holotype specimen about 30 main rings can be distinguished dorsally and ventrally in longitudinal optical section due to a slight enlargement of the annules covered with some concretion material. In the interzones between head and the two anterior main rings of the holotype, some fine accumulations of the particles suggests bacteria. The arrangement of the somatic setae sits the typical pattern of the Desmoscolecinae. The somatic setae are arranged in pairs, inserted on short peduncles or almost directly on the body cuticle; they differ sub-dorsally and sub-ventrally. The sub-dorsal setae taper distally to a shorter spatulate tip (2-3 µm long); the sub-ventral setae are shorter than the sub-dorsal ones. The latter are all about equally long, except for the longer elongated terminal pair of sub-dorsal setae. Head wider than long, with broad truncated anterior end. Cuticle thickened and sclerotized except in the labial region and at the level of the amphids; from the insertion of the cephalic setae about half-way the head length, the cuticle is covered with concretion material. Labial zone with six minute papillae. Cephalic setae jointed, consisting of a 3-4 µm long wider base and a fine distal part. Amphids rounded vesicular, largely covering the head. Amphidial opening large, situated in the posterior head region. Digestive system typical for the genus. Stoma minute. Pharyngointestinal junction opposite the posterior end of the second main ring. Intestine overlapping the rectum by a large blindsac, extending to halfway the endring in the paratype female. (ref. ID; 878)
  • Male: Arrangement of the somatic setae (counting annules) in the holotype male: 71 annules dorsally and 70 annules ventrally; sub-dorsal [right side: 3 8 15 23 31 43 55 68 71 = 9/ left side: 3 8 15 23 31 43 55 68 71 = 9] sub-ventral [right side: 5 12 19 27 38 48 58 64 = 8/ left side: 5 12 19 27 38 48 58 64 = 8]. Very small ochrous pigment spots are situated at the level of annule 13. Cloacal tube protrudes from the ventral body wall in annule 64. Reproductive system typical for the Desmoscolecinae i.e. with one testis. Spicules, 24 µm long, gradually tapering to a fine distal tip. Gubernaculum not observed. The holotype specimen is mounted in a dorsoventral position. Tail with two main rings. Phasmata not observed. (ref. ID; 878)
  • Female: In many characteristics identical with male, however the holotype male being mounted dorso-ventrally, the exact head-shape is unknown. Its body is longer than in male. The somatic setae are arranged as follows in the paratype female; sub-dorsal; [right side: 3 9 16 24 33 45 57 69 73 = 9/ left side: 3 9 16 24 33 45 57 69 73 = 9] sub-ventral; [right side: 6 13 20 28 39 49 61 67 = 8/ left side: 6 13 20 28 39 49 61 67 = 8]. Dark pigment spots, 6 by 3 µm long, situated opposite annule 9. Anal tube clearly protruding from the ventral body wall in annule 67. Reproductive system obscure, due to the very enlarged intestine with many numerous large globules; presumably the reproductive system is typical for the Desmoscolecinae. Vulva obscure, situated within annule 48. Tail with two complete and two partial main rings. Endring broad anteriorly, from the insertion of the sub-dorsal setae posteriorly tapering. Phasmata not observed. (ref. ID; 878)

    Desmoscolex vinealis Weischer, 1962 (ref. ID; 877, 3571)

    Synonym

    Pareudesmoscolex verrucosus Weischer, 1962 (ref. ID; 877)

    Descriptions

    Terrestrial species. (ref. ID; 877)