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

Zootaxa. 2016 Mar 14;4092(1):107-21. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4092.1.6.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution
  • Animals
  • Biodiversity
  • Body Size
  • Caves
  • Ecosystem
  • Female
  • Fresh Water / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • Platyhelminths / anatomy & histology
  • Platyhelminths / classification*
  • Platyhelminths / growth & development
  • South America