Phagooata velata CStringer, 1909) 

 Synonyms: Planaria velata Stringer, 1909; Fontioola velata: Kenk, 1930, 



r\ r\ ^ ^ O i4 bp vs de od S9 bd 



vd gl 



I I / I 

 am dp ac gp 



Fig. 34 after Kenk (1944). 



Length up to 20 mm, width 2 mm. Head truncated, with slightly convex 

 frontal margin and rounded lateral edges. Behind the head a faint 

 constriction (neck) may occur in gliding locomotion. Dorsal surface 

 usually dark gray to almost black, occasionally with a darker streak 

 along the postpharyngeal midline. Ventral side lighter. Young speci- 

 mens and individuals before fragmentation may be very lightly pigmented. 

 Eyes usually two, farther distant from the frontal than from the lateral 

 mjirgins . Externally not distinguishable from several other American 

 planariids. Testes numerous, predominantly dorsal, distributed almost 

 to the posterior end. Genital atrium divided into common and male 

 atria. Penis with small bulb and conical papilla. Vasa deferentia enter 

 bulb ventrolaterally and open separately into a bulbar cavity, the sem- 

 inal vesicle, from which the ejaculatory duct proceeds to the tip of the 

 papilla. Close to its opening, a ventral diverticulum branches off, 

 extending toward the base of the penial papilla. Copulatory bursa sac- 

 shaped, its canal opening into the common atrium. Reproduction sexual 

 or asexual, the latter by fragmentation and encystment. In springs, 

 streams, and spring-fed ponds, apparently all across the continent. 

 Principal literature: Stringer (1909), Castle (1928), Castle and Hyman 

 (1934), Kenk (1944). 



35 



