Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Rhabditophora (Flatworms)

Rhabditophora is a class of flatworms. It includes all parasitic flatworms and most free-living species that were previously grouped in the now obsolete class Turbellaria. All of the species in the phylum Platyhelminthes, excluding the catenulids which appear to be a sister group, are included in this class. A key characteristic of rhabditophorans is the presence of lamellated rhabdites (rod-like granules secreted in the cells of the epidermis that comprise of concentric lamellae). Another important characteristic is their duo-glandular adhesive system in the epidermis that contains three different cell types: anchor cells, adhesive glands and releasing glands. The adhesive glands secrete an adhesive substance that attaches the anchor cells to a surface, while the releasing glands secrete a substance that causes the anchor cells to release from a surface. This system allows rhabditophorans to adhere and release very quickly from surfaces.