Female: Body of variable length (0.20-1.00 mm). Annuli 42-200; posterior edge smooth to finely crenate. Submedian lobes generally well-developed, but may be poorly developed and even absent in some species; separated or connected in different ways; first annuli may be reduced or even divided into plates; in some species (C. amorpha, C. axestis, C. citricola) first annulus not retrorse but more or less forward directed. Vulval lips closely appressed (vulva "closed") to rather widely separated (vulva "open") anterior lip may be ornamented. Spear strong, rarely thin and flexible (C. macrodora, C. longistyleta), exceptionally short with rounded basal knobs (C. microdora).

Male: Head end rounded to conoid; generally four lateral lines, rarely three, exceptionally two (C. oostenbrinski); caudal alae distinct, exceptionally absent (C. goodeyi).

Juveniles: Annuli smooth to crenate, no rows of scales (except C. meridiana, C. variabilis and C. incrassata).