Abstract

A cladistic analysis for phylogenetic relationship among 3 freshwater planorbid snail species was carried out on the basis of their conchological and anatomical characteristics.The intestinal loop in the digestive systims was mainly distinguishable among 3 species of the planorbid snails. The loops in Hippeutis cantori and Segmentina hemisphaerula coiled around stomach, extended down to the distal part of the liver and finally connected with the anus, while the loop in Gyraulus convexiusculus was short and small, and connected directly to the anus after coiling around the stomach. However, the intestinal loop of Hippeutis cantori was the largest among those of 3 target snail species. In the main morpholohical differences of the riproductive systems, Gyraulus convexiusculus uniquely had a calcareous stylet in the penis sheath. Although there was no stylet in the penis sheath in the other snail species, the penis shesths connected with 1 and 2 flagella in Segmentina hemisphaerula and in Hippeutis cantori, respectively were different from each other. Two planorbid species, Hippeutis cantori and Segmintina hemisphaerula have a more recent phylogenetic ancestor out three species employed including Gyraulus convexiusculus.