Choeradoplana

Choeradoplana
Choeradoplana iheringi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Rhabditophora
Order: Tricladida
Suborder: Continenticola
Family: Geoplanidae
Subfamily: Geoplaninae
Genus: Choeradoplana
Graff, 1896
Type species
Choeradoplana iheringi
Graff, 1899

Choeradoplana is a genus of land planarians from South America.

Description

The genus Choeradoplana is characterized by the presence of a cephalic retractor muscle associated with cephalic glands, forming a cephalic musculo-glandular organ in a way similar to the one found in the genera Luteostriata and Issoca. The head of Choeradoplana is highly rolled backwards and the ventral area thus visible has two "cushions" formed by the musculo-glandular organ.[1] This peculiar head shape makes it easy to identify a species as belonging to this genus.

Etymology

The name Choeradoplana comes from Greek word χοιράς (scrofula) and the Latin word plana (flat) due to the two cushions on the ventral side of the head that resemble the neck swellings in patients affected by scrofula.[2]

Species

The following described species belong to the genus Choeradoplana:

References

  1. Ogren, R. E. and Kawakatsu, M. (1990). Index to the species of the family Geoplanidae (Turbellaria, Tricladida, Terricola) Part I: Geoplaninae. Bulletin of Fujis Women's College. 29: 79-166.
  2. Graff, L. v. (1896). "Über das System und die geographische Verbreitung der Landplanarien.". Verhandlungen der Deutschen Zoologischen Gesellschaft 6: 61–75.
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