Acrobeles complexus
Thorne, 1925
Photo Gallery- Konza Prairie
Photo Gallery- Haughton Crater

12. 11.
1.7
14.3
25.8
58.
90.
.4 mm
1.7
4.4
5.5
6.0
2.7
12. 11.
1.7
14.3
25.8
58.
90.
.4 mm
1.7
4.4
5.5
6.0
2.7
The heavy annules of the cuticle form crenate margins along the single submerged wing.  A cutinous band, indicated by a bright line, traverses the ends of the annules along each side of the wing-area.  The expanded lip region bears three pairs of cephalic probolae that extend forward to a point opposite the middle of the labial probolae.  The cephalic probolae are fringed with triangle, acute membranes.  The labial probolae are bifurcate half their length and the prongs end in short, blunt, terminal branches.  The prongs bear pointed triangular membranes.  Heavy cutinous points are present in the cephalic axils at the bases of the labial probolae. When viewed laterally the amphids appear as transverse, flattened oval markings but from a dorsal or ventral view they appear as sac-like organs with long inner extensions which apparently end in glands lying close to the esophagus caudad to the base of the pharynx.  The three posterior sets of pharyngeal plates are usually difficult to see although the dorsal plate of the fourth set sometimes is developed distinctly.  The cardiac bulb is half the neck width.  The renette pore lies almost opposite the nerve-ring, the renette itself apparently being a small gland located in front of the cardiac bulb.  Lips of the vulva elevated and symmetrical.  Tail convex-conoid to the acute terminus.

The tail of the male is similar to that of the female and bears three pair of pre-anal and two of post-anal sub-median papillae and two lateral papillae, the cephalated spicula are strongly arcuate with slender, linear accessory pieces half as long as themselves.

This is the most common Acrobeles found and is usually present in considerable numbers in soil and decaying plant roots.

(Description- Thorne, 1925)