I find Aspidiophorus paradoxus only rarely and always in soil mud from different localities.

The specimens are easy to recognize even at low magnifications due to their size of around 300 µm. Characteristic are the stalk scales, which are clearly separated from the body. This can be recognized even at low magnifications.

At the anterior end of the pharynx there is a strong, clasp-shaped hypostomium (s. fig. 3). I was also able to identify a pointed tooth just behind the mouth opening in some specimens (s. fig, 3). There should be three teeth according Schwank (1994), but I could not recognize them. I also found specimens that appeared to have no teeth. I was also able to identify oral flaps around the mouth opening, which are not described in the literature (s. fig. 4).

The dorsal scales are very close together and overlap. This makes their shape difficult to recognize. In lateral view, however, it can be recognized that they sit on a distinct stalk, which in turn sits on a basal plate (s. fig. 6). The shape of the scales can only be recognized when they are detached from the body. To do this, I slightly shifted the coverslip over a squashed specimen. This move shears off the scales. Their shape resembles a duck’s foot and have a central keel (s. fig. 7).

At the posterior end is a group of smaller scales with a keel. Only 4 of these scales have a spine. These spines are located between the toes (s. fig. 1 b).

I have not yet been able to examine the scales on the ventral side. According to Schwank (1994) they should also be stalk scales, but they are considerably smaller than the dorsal scales.

More images and information on Aspidiophorus paradoxus: Dr. Michael Müller-The small world of freshwater gastrotriches-Aspidiophorus paradoxus