Vesicle wall composed of two layers. The outer layer forms a coarsely rugose surface texture over the entire body of the chamber. Base commonly convex, with no oral scar. The collar is well developed, but small, with a smooth surface texture. Operculum located at junction between collar and body chamber.
Vesicles are usually chain-forming.
The operculum is a simple disc with a fine rugose ornamental patina. Desmochitina erinacea is a key member of the basal Caradoc chitinozoan faunas of the upper Copenhagen Formation, especially in the western most portion of the Nevada study area. Desmochitina erinacea is often associated with Conochitina robusta in the basal Caradoc. Differs from Desmochitina rugosa in both vesicle shape and size, yet the it is the ornamentation that is most distinctive. Upon cursory examination, the ornamentation appears similar, but Desmochitina erinacea has a compact, well attached fine rugose ornamental patina-style ornament that is consistent over the entire vesicle surface, while Desmochitina rugosa has a thickly rugose ornamentation that is uneven and commonly inconsistent between specimens.