Moszynski, 1937
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 the mouth also acting as adhesive organ. Body terete, widening abruptly in the fourth trunk segment, forming "shoulders". Head broader than the first subsequent segments. Jaws trapezoidal or kidney-shaped, most often with five teeth, one somewhat bigger tooth in the middle and 1-3 smaller teeth on both sides. Length 1.5-3 mm. Similar to Branchiobdella pentodonta and Branchiobdella italica in jaws but differing from them and from the other European branchiobdellidans in the shape of its trunk.
Crawling like leech on the body of crayfish.
Distribution
Southern Europe.
Ecology
In freshwater, living on external surface of crayfishes.
Reproduction
Sexual only. Eggs laid in cocoons attached with one end to body of crayfish.
Literature
Moszynski, 1937: 72; Pop, 1965: 229-236, Figs 7-11; Karaman, 1970: 328-329, Figs 1-8, 13-14; Nesemann, 1994: 83-84, Figs 1-6.