Eudoxiatopoplana facts for kids

Eudoxiatopoplana is a genus of land planarians from New Zealand, currently comprising a single species, Eudoxiatopoplana bilaticlavia, that occurs in Stewart Island. It is the sole genus of the tribe Eudoxiatopoplanini.

Description

The genus Eudoxiatopoplana includes land planarians with a small and robust body that is subcylindrical in cross section. The anterior end is blunt and slightly rolled upwards, showing some of the anterior ventral surface and forming a type of adhesive cup. The eyes form multiple rows around the anterior end and dorso-anteriorly and occur along the whole body. The parenchymal longitudinal musculature forms a massive ring zone around the intestine.

Etymology

The name Eudoxiatopoplana comes is a combination of Greek εὐδοξία (eudoxia), honor + ἄτοπος (atopos), out of place + Latin plana, flat. It honors Professor Eudóxia Maria Froehlich for her contribution to the study of land planarians. The specific epithet bilaticlavia comes from Latin bi-, two + laticlavia, having a broad stripe, and alludes to the two broad dorsal stripes present on this species.