Issoca


Issoca is a genus of land planarians found in Brazil.

Description

Species of the genus Issoca are characterized by the presence of a spoon-shaped head having a cephalic retractor muscle, which allows those animals to pull their anterior end upwards and backwards. Associated to the muscle are cephalic glands, forming a so-called cephalic musculo-glandular organ in a way similar to the one found in the genera Choeradoplana and Luteostriata. The copulatory apparatus usually lacks a permanent penis papilla, i. e., the penis is formed during copulation by folds in the male cavity which are pushed outwards.

Etymology

The name Issoca comes from Tupi içoca.

Species

There are five described species in the genus Issoca: