Michaelsen, 1926b
Type species Hystricosoma chappuisi Michaelsen, 1926b
Number of species 3. In NWE, one species:
Hystricosoma chappuisi Michaelsen, 1926b
Description
Small transparent worms. Body cylindrical but prostomium flat. Segmentation distinct. Both coloured and colourless cutaneous glands present. Dorsal chaetae numerous, ventral chaetae fewer in number as well as shorter. Stiff hair chaetae only, slightly sigmoid, with distal end slightly serrated on its concave side. Differing externally from the other aeolosomatids in the large number of hair chaetae, and (at least the European species) in their two-row arrangement in bundles. The belonging of two American species to this genus questionable.
Crawling on substratum.
Distribution
Europe, South America.
Ecology
In freshwater, one species as commensal on crayfish.
Reproduction
Asexual reproduction by paratomy (budding) prevailing. Maturing not known.
Literature
Michaelsen, 1926b: 93-97; Van der Land, 1971: 691; Pop, 1975: 75-78; Chekanovskaya, 1981; 189; Kasprzak, 1976: 161; Kasprzak, 1981: 84.