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A monograph of the Dimarcusidae (Platyhelminthes, Seriata, Tricladida)
Author(s) -
SLUYS RONALD
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6409.1990.tb00237.x
Subject(s) - biology , zoology , reproductive system , anatomy
The triclad family Dimarcusidae contains the species Rhodax evelinae, Opisthobursa mexicana, O. josephinae, Balliania thetisae and Mitchellia sarawakana. A comprehensive description is given of each of these species, covering external features, alimentary system, reproductive system, life cycle, ecology and distribution. Postulated apomorphies of the Dimarcusidae are (1) a penis bulb with gland cells, (2) horizontal orientation of female genital duct or bursal canal, combined with a dorsal opening of the common oviduct or diverticulum and (3) location of the ovaries at some distance posterior to the brain. The genera Rhodax, Opisthobursa and Mitchellia form a monophyletic group, the sistergroup being B. thetisae. The genera Rhodax and Opisthobursa share a sistergroup relationship. The Dimarcusidae should not be classified among the Maricola, Terricola or Paludicola. The family represents a fourth lineage within the Tricladida and is more closely related to the Paludicola and Terricola than to the Maricola.