Ellis, 1912: 481
Type species Cambarincola macrodontus Ellis, 1912
Number of species 49. In NWE, one species known:
Cambarincola mesochoreus Hoffman, 1963
Description
Small leech-shaped but unpigmented worms, without prostomium or chaetae. Anteriormost four segments fused to form head. Posterior end is modified as sucker-like adhesive disk; ventral edge of mouth also acting as adhesive organ. Body terete, sometimes with annular dorsal ridges. Two pairs of testes. Vasa deferentia enter ental end of atrium (spermiducal gland). Prostata attached to ectal end of atrium (junction with efferent duct). Penis muscular, protrusible. One anterior nephropore. Differing from the other genera in the combination of anatomical characters.
Crawling like leech on the body of crayfish.
Distribution
Nearctic, with introductions to Europe and Japan.
Ecology
In freshwater, living as commensals or/and parasites on the body surface and gills of crayfishes.
Reproduction
Sexual only. Eggs laid in cocoons attached with one end to body of crayfish.
Literature
Ellis, 1912: 481; Goodnight, 1940: 30; Holt, 1986: 699.