Michaelsen, 1889b
Type species Enchytraeus hegemon Vejdovsky, 1878
Number of species about 140. Representatives of this large terrestrial genus have usually not been identified to the species level in fresh waters of NWE. Due to complicated systematics, based mostly on internal characters, no separate species of the genus were included in this guide.
Description
Small to large enchytraeids. Chaetae blunt and straight but with proximal hook, arranged in regular symmetrical bundles, middle chaetae within each bundle becoming shorter and thinner; sometimes only one pair of chaetae per bundle. Besides head pore in 0/1, dorsal pores present beginning from about VII. Three pairs of pharyngeal glands. Two kinds of coelomocytes: large nucleate, and small hyaline. No appendages on intestine and oesophagus; instead, peptonephridia attached to posterior side of pharynx. Blood usually colourless, dorsal blood vessel reaching to postclitellar region. Spermathecae in V communicating with oesophagus, either simple or with diverticula, often with glands at external pore. Vasa deferentia long and winding but confined to XII. Penial bulbs present. No seminal vesicles, no egg sac. Externally characterized by considerably smaller central chaetae in bundles (except for species with only two chaetae per bundle), and by presence of dorsal pores (not always easy to find).
Burrowing in soil.
Distribution
Cosmopolitan.
Ecology
In soil; sometimes accidentally falling into water.
Reproduction
Sexual only, with eggs laid in cocoons.
Literature
Vejdovsky, 1878: 303; Michaelsen, 1889b: 40; Nielsen and Christensen, 1959: 68-72; Chekanovskaya, 1981: 378-379; Kasprzak, 1986: 200-201.