On Bdellasimilis Barwicki (Platyhelminthes : Tricladida) and its phyletic position

Abstract

The planarian Bdellasimilis barwicki is redescribed on the basis of newly collected and paratype material. The species is ectoconsortic on Australian freshwater turtles and has the following characteristic features: two posterior adhesive disks, voluminous false seminal vesicles, highly glandular common atrium, resorptive vesicles, and a gonopore at the posterior end of the body. The highly developed musculature around the mouth opening ensures that the mouth remains fully closed during the aberrant manner of feeding in which food items are enclosed in the pharyngeal cavity. B. barwicki should be classified with the Paludicola or freshwater planarians.