Bodies of both sexes distinctly arcuate, that of the male with tail strongly ventrally bent.  Lip region set off by constriction, 1/4 width of neck base, with distinct papillae slightly elevated above the contour.  Cuticle thick in head region.  Lateral fields 1/6 body width without visible cells.  Perioral plates conspicuous with strong muscles extending back along spear.  Spear 30u long, straight or slightly arcuate, with very short aperture.  Spear extensions about same length as spear.  Esophagus enlarged rather abruptly near middle, with posterior portion 1/2 body width.  Cardia a small disc about 1/4 body width then conoid.  Intestine with rather coarse, dark granules, not tesellated.  Vulva deep, apparently transverse but this was not definitely determined.  Vagina length about half body width.  Uteri forming roomy spermathecae.  Ovaries reflexed about half their length.  Prerectum length about 4 times body width, very hyaline.  Male tail strongly arcuate with 11 normal and 3 rudimentary supplements.  Spicula arcuate with strong ventral angle.  Prerectum extending forward to a point about opposite anterior supplement.  Strong ventrosubmedian saccate bodies near terminus.

Pungentus crassus is immediately distinguished by the obese body, long prerectum, peculiar type of sacacate bodies in tails, and number and arrangement of supplements.

Habitat: Soil about roots of white oak near Ames, Iowa.
(Description- Thorne, 1974)

DNA Sequences Obtained

Specimen:	Collected:
9Mile 4-30 SW2-19	9 Mile Prairie, First Survey