Observations on the biology of cave planarians of the United States

Abstract

Observations are made on the biology of several species of cave planarians (mostly of the family kenkiidae) collected alive from over 50 caves in 14 states. Food eaten was extremly variable. Functions of the anterior adhesive organ included food capture, locomotion, defense against predators, and probably chemoreception, mechanoreception, and as a holdfast in strong currents. Predators probably consist of fishes, crayfishes, and salamanders, Sporozoan and cilliated parasites were found ocasionally. Cocoons were found in water spring, and summer: they hatched in about 3 months and contained 2 to 17 yooung.