Haplognatha:

Dicrania vugada

 

Classification

Kingdom: Microsynthera
Phylum: Plasticae
Class: Occlupania
Order: Toxodenta
Family:
Genus: Dicrania
Species: vugada

Distinguishing Characteristics:


Dentitial Processes: one central process in the median of the oral groove.
External Processes: secondary oral groove opposite the first one.
Size:
Colors: white.
Markings: none.
Other:

Host Organisms: possibly bulk bagged goods. It is usually found in clusters in supermarkets, in an unattached state.
Life and Habits: D. vugada is one of the more puzzling of the occlupanids, second only to U. vaportubis in uniqueness of morphology. The function of the secondary oral groove remains a mystery. Some researchers think it could be analagous to many fish with eyespots on their tails, but nobody seems to know what predator D. vugada would be trying to avoid.
Specimens: 40, from the Bruner Foundation and the Shyte Group.