Bdellocephala Explained

Bdellocephala is a genus of freshwater triclad that inhabits different regions of Eurasia.^[1]

Description

As in other genera of the family Dendrocoelidae, species of Bdellocephala have an anterior adhesive organ. However, differently from other dendrocoelids, species of Bdellocephala lack a well-developed penis papilla in the male copulatory apparatus, which is uncommon in freshwater planarians.^[2]

Species

• Bdellocephala angarensis
• Bdellocephala annandalei
• Bdellocephala baicalensis
• Bdellocephala bathyalis
• Bdellocephala borealis
• Bdellocephala brunnea
• Bdellocephala grubiiformis
• Bdellocephala melanocinerea
• Bdellocephala punctata
• Bdellocephala roseocula
• Bdellocephala stellomaculata
• Bdellocephala ushkaniensis

Notes and References

1. Kawakatsu, M., Sluys R., Timoshkin O. A., Naumova T. V., Nishino M., & Takai M. (2001). Redescription of Japanese Bdellocephala annandalei from Lake Biwa-ko with comparative redescription of the Far Eastern and Kamchatkan Bdellocephala species (Tricladida, Paludicola). Belgian Journal of Zoology. 131, 205-211.
2. Sluys . R. . Kawakatsu . M. . 10.1111/j.1439-0469.2006.00371.x . Towards a phylogenetic classification of dendrocoelid freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes): A morphological and eclectic approach . Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research . 44 . 4 . 274 . 2006 .