Eclipidrilus fontanus Wassell, 1984

Steven & Fend, V., 2005, A review of the genus Eclipidrilus (Annelida: Clitellata: Lumbriculidae), with description of a new species from western North America, Zootaxa 969, pp. 1-42 : 26

Eclipidrilus fontanus Wassell, 1984

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Pennsylvania: Somerset Co.: Forbes State Forest, Wildcat Spring, 22.VII.1978, collected by J.T. Wassell. Paratypes, USNM 68643, 6 whole mounts. USNM 68645, sagittally sectioned worm.

Supplementary description

Ventral wall of pharynx much thinner than dorsal at least to III. One or two pairs of lateral vessels present in posterior segments, not obviously branched, but difficult to see. First nephridia single or paired on 6/7.

Male pores on small papillae formed by tips of atrial ducts, within shallow sacs, surrounded by accessory glands. Ectal ends of atrial ducts with thin lining of more or less cuboidal cells. Vasa deferentia very thin, as narrow as 5 µm. Atrial ampulla muscle fibers nearly transverse entally and nearly longitudinal ectally, but apparently not divided into distinct layers. Middle layers appear crosshatched, with opposing spirals (possibly not clear due to poor fixation). Epithelium of atrial ampullae very thin, about 2–3 µm. Prostatic cells in small bundles; prostate glands appear sparse compared with other Eclipidrilus species. Spermathecal pores surrounded by a ring of petiolate accessory glands; ectal ducts of spermathecae cylindrical, slightly expanded at the ectal end, but without distinct vestibules. Spermathecal ampullae with sperm; cells in ental part may be slightly larger and vacuolated compared with those in ectal part.