Rhynchomesostoma rostratum

Rhynchomesostoma rostratum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Platyhelminthes
Order:	Rhabdocoela
Family:	Typhloplanidae
Genus:	Rhynchomesostoma
Species:	R. rostratum
Binomial name
	Rhynchomesostoma rostratum; (Müller OF, 1773)

Last updated July 30, 2025

Rhynchomesostoma rostratum is a species of rhabdocoel flatworms in the family Typhloplanidae.^[1]

Description

The animal is 1.5 to 3.5 mm long^[2] and transparent. The anterior end is retractable.^[3]

Taxonomy

It was described by Otto Friedrich Müller in 1774 as Fasciola rostrata.^[1]^[4]

Distribution and habitat

The species has been recorded in Europe, India, Kenya, Siberia, and the US.^[1]

Ecology and behavior

It preys on oligochaetes, cladocerans, copepods, other microturbellarians, and mosquito larvae and other aquatic insects. It is preyed upon by the flatworm Phaenocora unipunctata .^[2]

References

1 2 3 "Rhynchomesostoma". Turbellarian taxonomic database. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
1 2 Young, J. O. (2001). Keys to the freshwater microturbellarians of Britain and Ireland. Ambleside: Freshwater Biology Association.
↑ Streble, H. & Krauter, D. (1988). Das Leben im Wassertropfen. Stuttgart: Franckh. pp. 268–269.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
↑ Müller, Otto Friedrich (1774). "Vermium terrestrium et fluviatilium, seu animalium infusoriorum, helminthicorum et testaceorum, non marinorum, succincta historia. Vol. primi pars altera". Havniae et Lipsiae. 4: 65–66 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

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[:1-1] 1 2 3 "Rhynchomesostoma". Turbellarian taxonomic database. Retrieved 2021-05-15.

[:0-2] 1 2 Young, J. O. (2001). Keys to the freshwater microturbellarians of Britain and Ireland. Ambleside: Freshwater Biology Association.

[3] Streble, H. & Krauter, D. (1988). Das Leben im Wassertropfen. Stuttgart: Franckh. pp. 268–269.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[4] Müller, Otto Friedrich (1774). "Vermium terrestrium et fluviatilium, seu animalium infusoriorum, helminthicorum et testaceorum, non marinorum, succincta historia. Vol. primi pars altera". Havniae et Lipsiae. 4: 65–66 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

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