Two new species of freshwater flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Continenticola) from South American caves

Author(s)

Souza, Stella ^{[1, 2]} ; Morais, Ana Laura ^{[1, 2]} ; Bichuette, Maria Elina ^[3] ; Leal-Zanchet, Ana ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Vale Rio dos Sinos, UNISI NOS, Inst Pesquisas Planarias, BR-93022000 Sao Leopoldo, RS - Brazil

^[2] Univ Vale Rio dos Sinos, UNISI NOS, Programa Posgrad Biol, BR-93022000 Sao Leopoldo, RS - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, UFSCAR, Dept Ecol & Biol Evolut, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Zootaxa; v. 4092, n. 1, p. 107-121, MAR 15 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

The diversity of freshwater triclads in the Neotropical region is considered to be low, but extensive areas of South America remain almost unexplored. Herein we describe two cave-dwelling, new species of Girardia, one from a transition zone of the Cerrado and Caatinga phytophysiognomies and the other from the Cerrado phytophysiognomy. The species from the Cerrado-Caatinga transition is a troglobite, eyeless and whitish; the species from the Cerrado area is possibly a troglophile, since it shows heavily pigmented body and eyes. Each species is easily recognized by a unique combination of features in its external morphology and copulatory apparatus. The two new species of Girardia show a restricted distribution, even the troglophile, and occur in caves without legal protection. Therefore, they must be considered as vulnerable organisms in a conservation context. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/08459-4 - Are the São Desidério, Serra do Ramalho (southwest Bahia) and São Domingos (northeast Goiás) biodiversity hot spots karstic areas? Cave community analysis and protection criteria
• Grantee: Maria Elina Bichuette
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants