24 Perry C. Holt and Ann M. Weigl 



to the reader's right; cross-hatching indicates muscular and stippling, 

 primarily, glandular tissues. Measurements are approximations done with 

 an ocular micrometer and where averages are given the minimal and max- 

 imal measurements taken are enclosed in parentheses. The scanning elec- 

 tron micrograph was photographed by Weigl. 



Genus Xironodrilus Ellis 1918 



Type-species: — Xironodrilus formosus Ellis 1918, by subsequent designation 

 (Ellis 1919). 



Diagnosis: — Body depressed widening gradually from segment I to seg- 

 ment VII; deferent ducts entering ental end of spermiducal gland; 

 prostate absent; bursa spherical; penis protrusible (modified from Hobbs 

 et al. 1967). 



Remarks: — Members of the genus are distinguished from those of 

 Xironogiton Ellis 1919, and Ankyrodnlus Holt 1965, the only other American 

 branchiobdellids with a flattened ("depressed") body form, by the ental 

 entry of the vasa deferentia into the spermiducal gland. The species of 

 Xironodrilus are known from the Blue Ridge Province of the Appalachians 

 and the Interior Low Plateaus into the glaciated regions of Michigan 

 (Holt 1969): the species described herein is the only one known from the 

 Piedmont of the Appalachians east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 



Xironodrilus bashaviae, new species 

 Figures 1 and 2 



Type- specimens: — Holotype, USNM 53641 taken on Cambarus bartonn from 

 Hunter's Creek, 0.8 km from the intersection of State Routes 1463 and 

 1446, Forsyth County, North Carolina, by Ann M. Weigl, 9 September 

 1975 (PCH 3376; AW 21 A); three paratypes (PCH 3376) in the VPI & 

 SU Center for Systematics Collections; three paratypes (AW 21 C) in the 

 collections of Ann Weigl. 



Diagnosis: — Medium large branchiobdellids (average length about 3.5 

 mm); dental formula 4/4, lateral teeth of each jaw longer than median 

 ones; bursa subspherical; ejaculatory duct long, thick, curving laterodor- 

 sad from bursa; spermiducal gland large, with prominent lumen; sper- 

 mathecal duct long, bulb long, subcylindrical. 



Etymology: — For Bashavia Creek, of which Hunter's Creek is a tributary. 



Description: — Specimens of Xironodrilus bashaviae are large, but not among 

 the largest, branchiobdellids, averaging about 3.5 mm in length (pre- 



