Aeolosoma variegatum

Vejdovsky, 1886

Description
Small worms. Prostomium slightly broader than the subsequent segments. Ciliated field restricted to its ventral surface. Sensory pits lateral, round, separated from ciliated field. Cutaneous glands evenly distributed, with colourless satellite cell; their light yellowish green secretion often forming several separate drops. A part of glands can be colourless, in some specimens. Hair chaetae only, with bayonet-shaped proximal portion, 2-6 per bundle, of two lengths. Longer chaetae measuring 95-135 µm, shorter ones 30-80 µm. Length of a chain of 2-3 zooids 1.7-2 mm, width about 0.07-0.08 mm. The first zooid 0.8-1.2 mm long, consisting of 8 (rarely 7 or 9) segments. Differing from the most similar species, Aeolosoma olivaceum, in granulated content and in presence of additional cell, in cutaneous glands.
Gliding on substratum.

Distribution
Almost cosmopolitan.

Ecology
In freshwater, particularly in acid water bodies.

Reproduction
Asexual reproduction by paratomy (budding) prevailing. Maturing seldom.

Literature
Vejdovsky, 1886: 275-290; Bunke, 1967: 224-229, 317-325, Figs 15-16, 69, 73b; Van der Land, 1971: 680-681, Fig. 13.2D; Chekanovskaya, 1981: 182; Kasprzak, 1981: 77, Figs 107-110.

%LABEL% (%SOURCE%)