Rheomorpha neizvestnovae

(Lastochkin, 1935a)

Description
Small transparent worms. Oval prostomium fused with I, broader than subsequent segments. Body ventrally flattened, segmentation obscure. Two short adhesive appendices on hind end. Cutaneous glands either colourless, yellowish, greenish, or absent. No chaetae; chaetal bundles replaced by adhesive papillae. Length of the first zooid 0.5-0.7 mm, length of the whole chain, consisting of up to 5 zooids, up to 1.3 mm. A separate individual can consist of 7-8 segments. Differing from the other aeolosomatids and small aquatic oligochaetes in lack of chaetae.
Both gliding and crawling on substratum.

Distribution
Europe.

Ecology
In freshwater, particularly in sand of large rivers.

Reproduction
Asexual reproduction by paratomy (budding) prevailing. Maturing in autumn.

Literature
Lastochkin, 1935a: 643-645; Ruttner-Kolisko, 1955: 55-69; Bunke, 1967: 266-279, Figs 31-35; Van der Land, 1971: 693-694, Fig. 13.3.F; Chekanovskaya, 1981: 185-186, Fig. 74; Kasprzak, 1981: 69-70, Figs 75-76.

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