Rhyacodriloides
Rhyacodriloides Chekanovskaya, 1975 (ref. ID; 7201)
Family Tubificidae (ref. ID; 6660)
- Rhyacodriloides abyssalis Chekanovskaya, 1975 (ref. ID; 6660, 7201)
- Rhyacodriloides gladiiseta Martin & Brinkhurst, 1998 (ref. ID; 6660)
Notes
This distinctive animal, with its spermathecae often in IX rather than X and accompanied by large glands, is closer to Rhizodrilus Smith (sensu Baker and Brinkhurst 1981) than Rhyacodrilus. The narrow spoon-shaped penial setae of this species resemble the spermathecal setae of Rhizodrilus lacteus, in which the penial setae are modified (as well as the spermathecals) but are of the more characteristic rhyacodriline form, arranged fanwise. The lack of large coelomocytes in the new genus is also characteristic of Rhizodrilus species. In the genus Rhizodrilus the atria are elongate and tubular, the vasa deferentia enter subapically, and there are voluminous male terminalia connected by short ejaculatory ducts. In Rhyacodriloides that atria are pear shaped; they discharge directly through simple male pores as in Rhyacodrilus species. The prostate glands in the genus are intermediate in form between those of the Rhyacodrilinae and Telmatodrilinae. Similar prostate glands are found in a number of marine genera still regarded as rhyacodrilines (Erseus 1981). (ref. ID; 7201)
Type material
ZIAS (Zoological Institute, Academy of Sciences, Leningrad) 1/38359. No material by the author. (ref. ID; 7201)