Revision and description of six species of Choeradoplana (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) with an emendation to the genus

Author(s)

Lago-Barcia, Domingo ; Silva, Marcos Santos ; Carbayo, Fernando

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ZOOKEYS; v. N/A, n. 1016, p. 48-pg., 2021-02-11.

Abstract

Living representatives of the Neotropical genus Choemdoplana Graff, 1896 (Geoplaninae, Tricladida, Platyhelminthes) are easily recognized by the typical shape of the head which is laterally expanded, rolled-up, and ventrally provided with two glandular cushions. In this study, the morphology and phylogeny (cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene) of several species of land planarians are taxonomically investigated. Four of the six species studied are new to science, namely: Ch. eudoxiae Silva & Carbayo, sp. nov., Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., and Ch. riutortae LagoBarcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. The species Choemdoplana albonigra and Ch. eudoxiae deviate from the usual body shape pattern in that the head does not present lateral expansions nor glandular cushions, becoming indistinguishable from its sister genus Cephaloflexa. Pseudogeoplana tristriata (Schultze & Muller, 1857) is also redescribed from a newly collected specimen and was discovered to be a member of Choeradoplana. Graff (1899) also studied another specimen that was considered to be conspecific with P. tristriata; however, in this new it is concluded that it is not conspecific but rather a new species. The name heudogeoplana aevipandemiae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. is suggested for Graff's specimen. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/12357-7 - Integrative taxonomic studies of Neotropical land planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida), with emphasis on the Brazilian and Chilean diversity, and their areas of endemisms in the Atlantic Forest
• Grantee: Fernando Jesús Carbayo Baz
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants