Eisen, 1879b
Type species Spirosperma ferox Eisen, 1879b
Number of species 5. In NWE, one species:
Spirosperma ferox Eisen, 1879b
Description
Medium-sized tubificids armoured with numerous small secretory papillae (but apapillate in one species); light sensory papillae present but not prominent. Hair and pectinate chaetae present dorsally, bifid crotchets ventrally; no modified genital chaetae. Differing from the other papillate genera of tubificids, besides the anatomy of reproductive system, also in absence of both prominent sensory papillae and modified genital chaetae.
Burrowing in sediment.
Distribution
Palaearctic, Japan, eastern North America.
Ecology
In freshwater.
Reproduction
Sexual only. Eggs laid in cocoons.
Literature
Eisen, 1879b: 10; Holmquist, 1978: 205; Brinkhurst, 1981: 1055-1056.