Gruber, 1883
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. Head not broader than following segments. Jaws quadrangular, with a pair of bigger lateral and several smaller median teeth (usually four on upper jaw, and two-three on lower jaw). Length 6 mm. Differing from congeners in the shape of jaws.
Crawling like leech on the body of crayfish.
Distribution
Europe.
Ecology
In freshwater, living on gills of crayfishes.
Reproduction
Sexual only. Eggs laid in cocoons attached with one end to body of crayfish.
Literature
Gruber, 1883: 245; Pop, 1965: 221-223, Figs 2-3; Chekanovskaya, 1981: 476-477, Figs 243D, 244; Kasprzak, 1981: 216, Figs 865-871; Nesemann, 1994: 87, Figs 13-17.