Microdorylaimus thornei
Photo Gallery- Konza Prairie


12 females: L =.84 mm + .07 (.73-.96); w = 27.1 m + 1.0 (25-32); 3 = 225 m + 20 (190-255); t = 47.8 m + 9.4 (28-61); a = 31.1 + 2.8 (37.8-34.8); b = 3.74 + .31 (3.43-3.95); c = 18.2 + 3.7 (15.7-29.3); V = 52.1 % + 1.4 (50.0-54.1)

Body weakly curved ventrally when relaxed; curved more in posterior end of body than in anterior.  Body increases in diameter from lips to base of esophagus 2.3 + .2 times.  Width of lips 11.2 um + .7.  Lips weakly to moderately separated from each other and set off from body by weak to moderate constriction.  Lips angular with blunt or pointed papillae protruding weakly to fairly strongly or not protruding.  Amphids cup-shaped 4-5 um wide at opening. Cuticle finely annulated, thickens at mid-body 1.6 um +.2.  Thickness at cuticle at head same as at mid-body; thickness at tail 2-3 times as great.  Cuticle dividced into thin outer layer and thicker inner layer.  Lateral cord width 10 um + 1.

Spear length 11.8 um +.7.  Width of spear 1.6 um + 2.  Spear apeture 38% + 5 of spear length.  Length of spear extension obscure.  Guiding sheath everted slightly when spear is completely retracted; anterior attachement of sheath ring-like.  Esophagus enlarges fairly suddenly between narrow anterior and wide posterior portions; enlargement begins at 46% + 4 of esophagus length from base.  Cardia an elongate or rounded cone; 8-12 um long.  Intestine 4-5 cells in circumference.  Rectum length 19 um + 3.  Prerectum length 38 um + 10.  Anal body diameter 17 um + 1.  Tail elongate arcuate cone with narrow rounded to subacute tip.  Caudal papillae obscure.

Anterior gonad 10% + 1 of body length; posterior 10% + 3.  Vulval labia with triangular sclerotized pieces.  Gonads reflexed 50-90%  Dimensions of three eggs observed in oviducts: 25-92 um, 28-78 um, 23-78 um.

Male unknown.

Habitats:  All type localities in Indiana.