Turbellarian taxonomic database

Koinocystididae Morimiurella Diagnosis


Medium-sized Kalyptorhynchia with or without eyes. Proboscis cone-shaped, its apex with a fine, homogeneous pseudocuticular belt with a smooth external surface (similar to that of the Rhynchokarlingiidae [Timoshkin, 2004]). Stylet fine-walled, slightly curved at the tip, with ribbed microstructure of the external surface and an asymmetrical distal aperture (Color plates 2: 1, 2; 5; 6: 6; 8: 4). Cocoons oval, numerous (up to 9–10 per specimen); situated laterally in equal numbers along both sides of the body (Color plates 1; 3). Paired trunks of the protonephridial system opening separately into an unpaired caudal excretory vesicle, with the excretory pore of the latter located almost at the caudal end of the body (Color plates 7 : 4, 5). Testes, ovaria, and vitellaria paired. Freshwater-dwelling; so far known from the deep–water zone of Lake Biwa, Japan (and, possibly, from large European lakes).

[From Timoshkin OA, Zaytseva EP, Gutsol MV, Tereza EP (2010): 1515]


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