So far I have only been able to find Aspidiophorus tetrachaetus once, in a sample from the Schwemm Moor in June 2026. Among several samples from the Schwemm Moor, the specimens were present in only one of these samples. This contained only a thin sediment layer, consisting mainly of algae, cyanobacteria and bacteria.

The gastrotrichs of the genus Aspidiophorus can be easily recognized by the stalked scales (s. fig. 7). Due to the stalks, the actual scales stand 1–2 µm away from the body. The species Aspidiophorus tetrachaetus is easily identifiable by 4 spines located on the dorsal side at the posterior end (s. fig. 8). This makes the species unmistakable. These spines sit on 4 oval scales that are keeled at their margins (s. fig. 9).

The stalked dorsal scales are diamond-shaped with rounded corners (s. fig. 6). They overlap each other and do not form any gap. According to my measurements, they are about 5 µm long, which corresponds well with the data given by Schwank (1990). On the ventral side, there are several parallel rows of scales about 3 µm long, whose exact shape is difficult to discern (s. fig. 10). Based on my observations, they appear to be oblong with parallel sides and a delicate keel. At the posterior end on the ventral side, there are 2 terminal scales with a distinct keel and lobe-shaped protrusions (s. fig. 10).

In deviation from the descriptions by Schwank (1990) and Kisielewski (2011), I was able to identify distinct ocelli at the anterior margin of the head in the specimens of my population, which were not mentioned by these authors. The ocelli had a granular character. All other characteristics correspond to the descriptions of Aspidiophorus tetrachaetus.