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Trichocerca porcellus
Phylum Rotifera
Class Monogononta
Order Ploima
Family Trichocercidae
 
Distinguishing Characteristics
  • Body short and curved, thick.
  • Two mucrones.
  • Mucrones short, right larger than left (left mucro may be overlooked).
  • Two toes visible, with shorter toe more than one-third length of longer toe.
  • Foot and toes usually beneath ventral surface of body.
  • Body length = 140 - 150 µm, toe = 50 - 60 µm.
Ecology
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Additional Notes
  • Among the most commonly reported species in Great Lakes.
  • Trichocerca can use pedal glands to produce mucous secretions to attach to substrates. The secretions may also be an energetic mechanism to stay suspended in the water column.
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