Schiner, 1866
Telmatogeton belongs to the subfamily Telmatogetoninae with only three genera in the Holarctic (Wiederholm, 1983).
Body
Large larvae up to 11 mm long. The anterior and posterior parapods are separate and bear rows of claws. Procercus and anal tubules absent (Wiederholm, 1983).
Head
Labral sclerite 2 is present. Eyes are kidney shaped, a pair of strong sclerotized plates proximal to the antennae and two tubercles with a very strong S3 seta lateral of the labral scerite 2 Telm head dorsal std. Headcapsule is foveolate Telm mentum, best seen ventrally.
Antenna
The antenna consists of four segments. The blade is bifid and subequal to flagellum. Lauterborn organs (?) like long thin blades distally on the second segment. The third segment divided in a weak sclerotized basal part and a well sclerotized distal part Telm antenna.
Mentum
The mentum has one sharp median tooth much higher and larger than the 4-6 pairs of lateral teeth. The ventromental plates are weak and a beard is absent Telm mentum.
Labrum
SI is simpel and labral lamellae are absent. The premandible is very strong with three apical teeth and a large brush Telm premandible.
Mandible
The mandible has an apical tooth and 4-6 inner teeth. Seta subdentalis is very long and reaches to the base of the apical tooth Telm mandible small. The seta interna has simpel branches.
Differential characteristics
From the species in salt and brackish water Telmatogeton is identified by the absence of the procercus and 4 segmented antenna Telm antenna.
Diversity
European species: 2
Treated species: 0