Turbellarian taxonomic database

Sphalloplana (Sphalloplana) subtilis Notes


Kenk R 1977 (citation)- p 13, 'Sphalloplana subtilis is known only from a spring on the property of J.W. Biggers
at 6278 East Edsall Road, Fairfax County Virginia, close to the Alexandria city line.  The spring (Figures
27, 28) is enclosed in a brick structure with a removable concrete cover.  The water is 6 feet (1.8m) deep,
its level reaching to 2 feet (0.6m) below the rim of the casing.  The species was obtained by J.R. Holsinger,
W. Biggers, and the writer by baiting with fresh marine shrimp on several occasions between 18 March and 12
August 1973.  The water temperature on 25 March was 8.6 degrees C., on 12 August 17.7 degrees C. (while the
temperature on the surface layer was 22.1 degrees C.), the pH 5.4 on both dates.  A total of 10 specimens
were collected, three of them sexually mature.  Besides S. subtilis, the spring contained another species of
Sphalloplana, S. holsingeri, which was much more abundant (over 80 specimens collected).' 

Kenk R 1989 (citation)- p. 4, "now possibly extinct".

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