Turbellarian taxonomic database

Polycelis (Polycelis) coronata coronata Notes


Hyman L 1931 (citation)- p 130, "The worms were found in flowing streams in the hills in the Black Hills of South
Dakota.  They were seen crawling actively about on the bottom among and on the stones and resting on the under
surface of the stones."....."This species seems to be an unusually active one for planarians are ordinarily,
during the daytime at least, concealed on vegetation or under stones, but these were crawling around in plain
sight on the bottom of the stream.  The streams in which the worms were found contained no vegetation."

p 131, "Summary   a. The North American representative of the many-eyed triclad genus Polycelis is distinct
from European or other members of the genus.  Its correct name is Polycelis coronata (Girard), 1891.  b.  Its
distinctive characters are: eyes in a broad short band, several rows wide, extending only a short distance
behind the auricles; bursa copulatrix saccular; penis bulb massive and muscular; penis small, unarmed; vasa
deferentia entering the cavity of the penis bulb separately and asymmetrically, the left one anterior to the
right one; common oviduct opening into the dorsal wall of the small common atrium; terminal part of the bursa
stalk highly muscular.  c.  Distribution: mountain streams, in some cases spring-fed, Wyoming, South Dakota."

Kenk R 1972 (citation)- p 25, "Reproduction sexual and asexual.  Inhabits springs and cold creeks in southern
Wyoming, Utah, Montana, New Mexico."

Kenk R 1973 (citation)- p 6, 'Polycelis coronata coronata inhabits springs and cold creeks in the western parts of
the United States.  Beck (1954: 81) indicates that in Utah the species is confined to habitats of low water
temperature, not exceeding 10 degrees C., a statement which was confirmed by Braithwaite (1962: 21) and which
is valid also for other localities of its geographic range.  The species is, therefore, found generally at
high altitudes.'

Notes from synonyms

Notes for Polycelis (Polycelis) coronata borealis

Kenk R 1972 (citation)- p 27, "Reproduction sexual and asexual.  In springs, cold streams, also in mountain
lakes, Alaska, northern Wyoming, Idaho."

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