Dimarcusidae | |
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Hausera hauseri | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
Order: | Tricladida |
Infraorder: | Cavernicola Sluys, 1990 |
Family: | Dimarcusidae Mitchell & Kawakatsu, 1972 |
Genera | |
See text |
Dimarcusidae is a family of triclads found mostly in freshwater habitats of caves, although at least one species, Rhodax evelinae , occurs in surface waters. [1] [2] Currently the family contains only seven species distributed in five genera, although the total number of species is thought to be much higher. [3]
The morphological features uniting species of Dimarcusidae are related to the reproductive system. Their ovaries are located more posteriorly than in most triclads, which usually have them close to the brain. The penis in species of Dimarcusidae contains glandular elements and the common ovovitelline duct is perpendicular to the female genital duct. [2]
The family Dimarcusidae was erected in 1972 by Mitchell and Kawakatsu to include a new species, Dimarcus villalobosi. However, the same species had been briefly described by Benazzi in the same year as Opisthobursa mexicana and this name had priority, with Dimarcus villalobosi becoming a junior synonym. As a result, the family is called Dimarcusidae despite the absence of a valid genus Dimarcus. [1] [2]
Historically, species of Dimarcusidae have been classified as members of the suborders Maricola (marine triclads) or Paludicola (freshwater triclads). They received their own suborder, Cavernicola, in 1990, although their relationship to other triclads had not been settled. [2] Recent molecular studies, however, suggest that Cavernicola is the sister group of Maricola, thus being more closely related to marine than to freshwater triclads. [3]
Currently the family Dimarcusidae includes the following five genera: [4]
Dugesia is a genus of dugesiid triclads that contains some common representatives of the class Turbellaria. These common flatworms are found in freshwater habitats of Africa, Eurasia, and Australia. Dugesia is best known to non-specialists because of its regeneration capacities.
Planariidae is a family of freshwater planarians.
Geoplanidae is a family of flatworms known commonly as land planarians or land flatworms.
Dugesiidae is a family of freshwater planarians distributed worldwide. The type genus is Dugesia Girard, 1850.
Girardia is a genus of freshwater planarians belonging to the family Dugesiidae.
Dendrocoelidae is a family of freshwater tricladida flatworms that has a holarctic distribution.
Maricola is a suborder of triclad flatworms including species that mainly inhabit salt water environments. However, some species are also known from freshwater or brackish waters.
Dugesia sicula is a species of dugesiid triclad that lives in freshwater bodies of the Mediterranean Basin, where it is widely distributed. It has been reported from Sicily, Elba and Mallorca, Eivissa, Sardinia, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Crete.
Kenkiidae is a family of freshwater triclads. Their species can be found sporadically in caves, groundwater, and deep lakes in Central Asia, Far East and North America.
Girardia tigrina, known as the brown planarian or the immigrant triclad flatworm, is a species of dugesiid native to the Americas. It has been accidentally introduced into Europe and Japan.
Cura is a genus of freshwater flatworm (triclad)s belonging to the family Dugesiidae.
Bdellouridae is a family of Maricola triclads.
Neppia is a genus of dugesiid triclad that is found in South America, Subantarctic region, Africa, Tasmania and New Zealand.
Bdellocephala is a genus of freshwater triclad that inhabits different regions of Eurasia.
Cavernicola is a suborder of planarians found mostly in freshwater habitats of caves, although some species occur on the surface.
Geoplaninae is a subfamily of land planarians endemic to the Neotropical region. Members of this family are sometimes referred to as the Neotropical land planarians. However, one species, Obama nungara has been introduced in Europe.
The reproductive system of planarians is broadly similar among different families, although the associated structures can vary in complexity.
Othelosoma is a genus of land planarians found in Africa and India.
Novibipalium is a genus of land planarians of the subfamily Bipaliinae.
Geoplanini is a tribe of land planarians in the subfamily Geoplaninae.