Reevaluation of the taxonomic status of Halipegus occidualis Stafford, 1905 (Digenea : Hemiuridae)

In response to confusion regarding the taxonomy of halipegines inhabiting N orth American amphibians, the reproductive structures of the hemiurid Halip egus occidualis are described from adult worms reared from cercariae shed b y Helisoma anceps from Charlie's Pond, North Carolina. The report of a Laur er's canal is confirmed and the presence of a canalicular seminal receptacl e established. The suggestion that H. eccentricus Thomas, 1939 be considere d a junior synonym of H. occidualis Stafford, 1905 is rejected.