Haementeria eichhorniae

External morphology

Extended specimens reach a total length of approximately 32 mm; specimens at rest—bearing egg sacs or juveniles—measure about 15 mm. The dorsal tubercles are small and, in certain specimens, inconspicuous. A dorsomedian row is present on all three annuli of each somite, or on the first and third annuli, or alternatively, solely on the first or the third annulus. A few specimens lack this median row entirely. Two lateral rows and two supramarginal rows are situated on the neural annulus—that is, on (b3 + b4). On the third annulus of each somite (b5 + b6), there are two lateral-external rows aligned with the intermediate sensillae, and sometimes one or two rows of marginal papillae. Furthermore, on the first annulus (b1 + b2)—though not in all specimens.Tthree pairs of small papillae and up to five double rows may be observed on each side. The sensillae are distinguishable as micro-circles—more or less protuberant—but without the "bar" shape seen in other species of the genus. cephalic lobe becomes differentiated when individuals are fixed in a moderately or highly extended state; this structure is formed by the first nine annuli—that is, up to Va2. The anterior cup or sucker is actually formed by somites I through IV, as the post-sucker annulus is V (a1 + a2), given that on the ventral aspect, somite V consists of two annuli. Two eyes, situated very close together, are located on somite III (a1 + a2). The gonopores are separated by two annuli: XII (b1 + b2) and XIIa2. The anus is post-XXVII.

Habitat & range

Habitat

Freshwater

Region

South America

Original description

Ringuelet, Hirudineos nuevos o ya descriptos de la Argentina y del Uruguay. (1978). Limnobios, 1(7), 258-268

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