Turbellaria
class that is free-living and includes the planaria
Turbellaria is a class of free-living flatworms within the phylum Platyhelminthes. They are mostly found in freshwater environments, but some species also inhabit marine and terrestrial habitats.
Turbellarians are characterized by their flattened body shape, with a distinct head and tail region. They are also bilaterally symmetrical, meaning that their left and right sides are mirror images of each other. Most turbellarians are relatively small, typically ranging from less than one millimeter to a few centimeters in length.
Turbellarians feed on a variety of small prey, such as tiny invertebrates, microorganisms, and organic matter. They have a unique feeding mechanism called a pharynx, which can be extended out of their mouth to engulf food.
Turbellarians have a simple nervous system, consisting of a ganglion (cluster of nerve cells) that serves as their brain and two nerve cords that run the length of their body. They also have a simple excretory system that consists of specialized cells called flame cells, which filter waste products out of their body.
Reproduction in turbellarians can occur both sexually and asexually. Some species can reproduce through asexual fission, or splitting in half, while others can produce eggs or sperm and mate with another individual to produce offspring.
In summary, turbellarians are a diverse group of small, free-living flatworms that inhabit freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments. They are characterized by their flattened body shape, unique feeding mechanism, simple nervous system, and ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually.
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