| Author Title Journal |
Hay DA, Ball IR (1979) Contributions to the biology of freshwater planarians (Turbellaria) from the Victorian Alps, Australia. Hydrobiologia 62:137-164 |
Abstract / Notes
The 10 spp. [Cura pinguis, Dugesia (Girardia) sp., Reynoldsonia reynoldsoni, Spathula tryssa, S. camara, S. agelaea sp. nov., S. trunculenta, S. gourbaultae, S. foeni and Eviella hynesae] of freshwater planarians known from Victoria, including 1 new species, were briefly reviewed. Detailed field and laboratory studies of 6 of these were made and a close correlation between seasonal variation in numbers and viability at different laboratory temperatures was demonstrated. S. camara and R. reynoldsoni inhabit temporary habitats that experience wide temperature fluctuations and these 2 species survive equally well in the laboratory at a wide range of temperatures. S. tryssa appears stenothermal in habitat and in the laboratory cannot tolerate even a small temperature increase. C. pinguis and Dugesia (Girardia) sp. show wide temperature tolerance both in terms of abundance in the field and viability studies in the laboratory. S. agelaea is unusual in that it shows 2 annual peaks in abundance and exhibits aggregatory and cannibalistic behavior that may be involved in population regulation. Aspects of the distribution, abundance and life cycle of all the species were discussed in relation to planarian ecology.
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