Leptonchus microdens
Thorne, 1974
Photo Gallery- Konza Prairie

(Description- Thorne, 1974)
1.2mm; a = 26; b = 4.6; c = 69; V = 58
Body almost straight when relaxed.  Subcuticle strongly striated with many areas separated and forming clear areas in body cavity.  Lateral fields about 1/2 body width with conspicuous row of pores.  Lip region set off by depression with low, obscure papillae.  Oral opening sclerotized with arch shaped spear guiding ring.  Spear exceedingly slender with aperture and lumen difficult to observe.  Junction of spear extensions and esophageal lumen not definitely determined.  Anterior esophagus a slender tube with a fusiform basal enlargement about 1 1/2 times as long as body width.  Cardia conoid.  Intestinal cells with coarse dark brown granules which frequently form a tesellated pattern.  Prerectum length 2-3 times body width.  Vulva transverse.  Ovaries reflexed 2/3 way back to vulva.  Eggs about twice as long as body diameter.  Spermatozoa present in uterine tract but males not collected.
Leptonchus microdens is immediately distinguished by the exceedingly small, slender spear, short prerectum and bisexuality.
Habitat:  Wheat and barley plots, Experiment Station, Watertown, South Dakota.

DNA Sequence Obtained
Specimen: Collected:
Mt Rushmore GWN-16