Author Description

There are only two species of planarians that occur regularly in temporary ponds in eastern North America: Hymanella retenuova and Phagocata velata. The so-called typical vernal pond form, P. vernalis, is in reality a mixed description of the two species. Phagocata velata withstands desiccation by a modification of the asexual cycle involving multiple fragmentation and encystment. H. retenuova is protandrous and produces a thick-shelled resistant cocoon; it does not reproduce asexually. Revisions of these species, including new karyological data, are given together with descriptions of methods for their identification. The paper concludes with a brief general review of our knowledge concerning planarians in temporary waters.