Desmoscolex Claparède, 1863

García-Cobo, Marta, González-Casarrubios, Alberto & Sánchez, Nuria, 2025, Description of two new species of Desmoscolex Claparède, 1863 (Nematoda: Desmoscolecidae) from the Cassidaigne Canyon, Mediterranean Sea, European Journal of Taxonomy 1004, pp. 211-236 : 218

Genus Desmoscolex Claparède, 1863

Diagnosis (emended from Decraemer & Rho 2014)

Body cuticle with large main rings, separated by narrower or similarly wide interzones (one to five annules). Interzones smooth or with transverse row of fine spines or pores. Paired subdorsal and subventral somatic setae show various patterns. Often, red-brown pigment spots near the anterior intestine. Pharynx short, cylindrical, with junction opposite the posterior end of main ring two or the anterior end of main ring three in species with 17–18 rings. Intestine usually overlaps postrectally. Females didelphic-amphidelphic with outstretched ovaries, a spermatheca, and a vulva at posterior end of main ring 10 in 17-ring species. Juveniles with fine annules, each with spines or warts, no desmen.