Schmidtea polychroa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Order: Tricladida
Family: Dugesiidae
Genus: Schmidtea
Species:
S. polychroa
Binomial name
Schmidtea polychroa
(Schmidt, 1861)
Synonyms
  • Dugesia (Schmidtea) polychroa (Schmidt, 1861)
  • Dugesia polychroa (Schmidt, 1861)
  • Euplanaria polychroa (Schmidt, 1861)
  • Planaria polychroa Schmidt, 1861

Schmidtea polychroa is a species of freshwater flatworm, a dugesiid triclad that inhabits the shallow mesotrophic or eutrophic waters of rivers and lakes of Europe. It is also present in North America, where it has been introduced at least in the Saint Lawrence river system.[1][2] It is an animal with a limited dispersion capability.[3]

Description

S. polychroa has a rounded head and a pointed back end with relatively no constriction. There are two eyes. While the color is generally brown, it can range from dark brown to black, and specimens of a black-green color and even with piebald-like patterns have been observed.[4]

Diet

Individuals of this species search for food actively; they feed mainly on small invertebrates.[5] They prey preferably on oligochaetes, and also on gastropods.[1]

Reproduction

They are hermaphroditic. Schmidtea polychroa produces cocoons in water temperatures between 10 and 23 °C.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Boddington, M. J.; Mettrick, D. F. (1974). "The distribution, abundance, feeding habits, and population biology of the immigrant triclad Dugesia polychroa (Platyhelminthes: Turbellaria) in Toronto Harbour, Canada". Journal of Animal Ecology. 43 (3): 681–699. doi:10.2307/3531.
  2. ↑ Kenk, R. (1989). Revised list of the North American freshwater Planarians (Platyhelminthes. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 476, 1-10.
  3. ↑ Pongratz, N.; Gerace, L.; Michiels, N. K. (2002). "Genetic differentiation within and between populations of a hermaphroditic freshwater planarian". Heredity. 89 (1): 64–69. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800102. PMID 12080371.
  4. ↑ Schmidt, O. (1861). Uber Planaria torva Autorum. Z wiss Zool (in German). 11(1):92-94 via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. ↑ Calow, P.; Davidson, A. F.; Woollhead, A. S. (1981). "Life-cycle and feeding strategies of freshwater triclads: A synthesis". Journal of Zoology. 193 (2): 215–237. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1981.tb03441.x.
  6. ↑ Reynoldson, T. B.; Young, J. O.; Taylor, M. C. (1965). "The Effect of Temperature on the Life-Cycle of Four Species of Lake-Dwelling Triclads". Journal of Animal Ecology. 34 (1): 23–43. doi:10.2307/2367.
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