A light and scanning electron microscope study of the morphology of the chaetae of Tubifex tubifex in a non-polluted medium

The shape, number and distribution of the chaetae constitute taxonomic crit eria in oligochaetes. Paradoxically, there is a lack of morphological data on the chaetal apparatus of Tubifex tubifex. This study provides a detailed description (number, (ultra)structure and spatial arrangement) of the chae tae of normal worms, to serve as a reference for subsequent (eco)toxicologi cal studies, since changes in the morphology of the chaetae of Tubificidae are potential markers of environmental pollution.