Protricoma
Protricoma Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
Desmoscolecida Filipjev, 1929: Family Desmoscolecidae Shipley, 1896: Subfamily Desmoscolecinae Shipley, 1896 (ref. ID; 3571)
ref. ID; 878
The genus Protricoma, synonymized with Paratricoma by Freudenhammer (1975), is reestablished.
Body cuticle annulated; each annule provided with a transverse row of minute spines except in the lateral field. Lateral field naked, differentiated. Somatic setae homogeneous, inserted in sublateral position. Female reproductive system didelphic-amphidelphic with outstretched branches and two spemathecae. Three caudal glands. (ref. ID; 878)
ref. ID; 3571
Type species
Protricoma squamosa Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 3571)
- Protricoma squamosa Timm, 1970 (ref. ID; 878, 3571)
- Protricoma steineri (Kreis, 1938) (ref. ID; 878)
Descriptions
The annulated body cuticle bears on each annule a transverse row of small spine ('scale-like cuticular adornments' in Timm 1970) except in the naked lateral field. The lateral field is differentiated from about the third annule on almost up to the endring and it is for the longest part flanked by the somatic setae, inserted in sub-lateral position. A fine layer of fine concretion material may partly cover the body cuticle. Pharynx posteriorly with protruding glands. Along the anterior part of the intestine large finely granular cells (pseudocoelomocytes) with pale nucleus are observed. Male reproductive system with two testes, left branch posteriorly reflexed. According to the individual, one or two ejaculatory glands were observed on both sides: a large gland flanking the posterior end of the vas deferens and a smaller gland largely dorsocaudally from the spicules. Female reproductive system didelphic-amphidelphic, with outstretched branches. Large spermathecae, one on each side. Three caudal glands extending anteriorly beyond the anal opening in male and female. (ref. ID; 878)
Descriptions
P. steineri appears to be close to P. squamosa in the ornamentation of the body cuticle: cuticular spines in a transverse row on each annule. Since somatic setae are apparently lacking in the holotype male of the monotypic species P. steineri, no further features are available which could confirm its classification within the Protricoma. (ref. ID; 878)