The genitalia of the Indian mollusk Indoplanorbis exustus

The molluscan genus Indoplanorbis is shown to differ markedly from all other members of the family Planorbidae in the generative complex, the vas deferens being encased in a long, flexible tube in which it is freely movable. The preputium of the male complex is shown to be completely evertible from the male opening and to act as a male copulatory organ. The presence of a single, heavy penial retractor innervated by an equally strong nerve is indicated. Comparisons are made with the genitalia of the European Coretus and the American Helisoma showing fundamental differences in the generative apparatus of the three groups. Indoplanorbis is most closely related to Coretus, the vas deferens of that group being also encased in a tube. Helisoma differs from both of these genera, the vas deferens not being encased in a tube and is of the same diameter throughout its length.