Genus Aphelochaeta Blake, 1991

Type Species: Tharyx monilaris Hartman, 1960 designated by Blake, 1991

Diagnosis (modified after Doner & Blake 2009). Prostomium conical; peristomium elongate with 1–4 achaetigerous annulations, with pair of grooved dorsal tentacles arising either on or anterior to chaetiger 1; first pair of branchiae arising either on or anterior to chaetiger 1; thoracic region frequently expanded, with crowded segments; abdominal segments variable, sometimes moniliform; chaetae simple capillaries, with distinct serrations or sawtooth edge not visible in light microscopy, but fibril endings sometimes seen with SEM; far posterior segments may be expanded or not, with or without dorsal and/or ventral grooves, tapering to simple pygidial lobe.