(Braun, 1805)
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 broader than the first trunk segments. Jaws of equal size, triangular, with big median tooth and several tiny additional teeth at the edge of both sides. Length 4-6 mm. Differing from congeners in the shape of jaws.
Crawling like leech on the body of crayfish.
Distribution
Europe.
Ecology
In freshwater, on body surface of crayfish.
Reproduction
Sexual only. Eggs laid in cocoons attached with one end to body of crayfish.
Literature
Braun, 1805: Pl. V Figs 1-4; Henle, 1835: 575-608, Pl. XIV; Pop, 1965: 223-225, Figs 4-5; Chekanovskaya, 1981: 474, Figs 242, 243A; Kasprzak, 1981: 214-215, Figs 850-859; Nesemann, 1994: 87-90, Figs 18-23.