Latest Articles from ZooKeys Latest 11 Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:47:30 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://zookeys.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ The complete mitogenome of the potentially invasive flatworm Australopacifica atrata (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae) displays unusual features common to other Rhynchodeminae https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/83228/ ZooKeys 1110: 121-133

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1110.83228

Authors: Romain Gastineau, Leigh Winsor, Jean-Lou Justine

Abstract: We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the flatworm Australopacifica atrata. The species, originally described from New South Wales, Australia, has been found in various locations in the British Isles, New Zealand and in the United States of America; it is thus potentially invasive. The genome is 16513 bp long, encodes for 12 protein coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and 20 tRNA genes, and is completely colinear with the other two available Rhynchodeminae. In addition, it shares with them some unusual characters discriminating them from members of the other subfamilies of Geoplanidae, the most noticeable being the extra length of its cox2 gene. The data allow a reliable multigene phylogeny to be derived, and also provide a means of accurate biomonitoring of possible invasiveness by A. atrata.

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Research Article Tue, 5 Jul 2022 18:15:17 +0300
Two new species of Dugesia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from the tropical monsoon forest in southern China https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/65633/ ZooKeys 1059: 89-116

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1059.65633

Authors: Lei Wang, Jin-zi Chen, Zi-mei Dong, Guang-wen Chen, Ronald Sluys, De-zeng Liu

Abstract: Two new species of the genus Dugesia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from the tropical monsoon forest in southern China are described on the basis of an integrative taxonomic study involving morphology, karyology, histology, and molecular analyses. The new species Dugesia circumcisa Chen & Dong, sp. nov. is characterised by asymmetrical openings of the oviducts; right vas deferens opening at anterior portion of the seminal vesicle and the left one opening at mid-lateral portion of the seminal vesicle; two diaphragms in ejaculatory duct, the latter being ventrally displaced and opening at the tip of the penis papilla, which is provided with a nozzle; wide duct connecting male atrium and common atrium; chromosome complement triploid with 24 metacentric chromosomes. The other new species, Dugesia verrucula Chen & Dong, sp. nov., is characterised by the large size of the living worm, usually exceeding 3.5 cm in length; asymmetrical openings of the oviducts; subterminal opening of ventrally displaced ejaculatory duct; vasa deferentia symmetrically opening into the postero-lateral portion of the seminal vesicle; well-developed duct between the seminal vesicle and diaphragm; single dorsal bump near the root of the penis papilla; bursal canal with pleated wall and spacious posterior section; unstalked cocoons; chromosome complement diploid with 16 metacentric chromosomes. Inter-specific molecular distances and their positions in the phylogenetic tree reveal that D. circumcisa and D. verrucula are clearly separated from their congeners.

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Research Article Wed, 8 Sep 2021 18:08:33 +0300
Integrative descriptions of two new species of Dugesia from Hainan Island, China (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/60838/ ZooKeys 1028: 1-28

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1028.60838

Authors: Lei Wang, Zi-mei Dong, Guang-wen Chen, Ronald Sluys, De-zeng Liu

Abstract: Two new species of the genus Dugesia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from Hainan Island of China are described on the basis of morphological, karyological and molecular data. Dugesia semiglobosa Chen & Dong, sp. nov. is mainly characterized by a hemispherical, asymmetrical penis papilla with ventrally displaced ejaculatory duct opening terminally at tip of penis papilla; vasa deferentia separately opening into mid-dorsal portion of intrabulbar seminal vesicle; two diaphragms in the ejaculatory duct; copulatory bursa formed by expansion of bursal canal, lined with complex stratified epithelium, which projects through opening in bursa towards intestine, without having open communication with the gut; mixoploid chromosome complement diploid (2n = 16) and triploid (3n = 24), with metacentric chromosomes. Dugesia majuscula Chen & Dong, sp. nov. is mainly characterized by oviducts opening asymmetrically into female reproductive system; hyperplasic ovaries; expanded posterior section of bursal canal; vasa deferentia separately opening into mid-dorsal portion of seminal vesicle; asymmetrical penis papilla due to ventral course of ejaculatory duct, which has subterminal and dorsal opening at tip papilla; mixoploid chromosome complement diploid (2n = 16) and triploid (3n = 24); chromosomes metacentric. Apart from their anatomy, separate species status of the two new species is supported also by their genetic distances and by their positions in the phylogenetic tree. The sexualization process may have been induced by the lower temperatures, in comparison with their natural habitat, under which the worms were cultured in the laboratory.

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Research Article Mon, 5 Apr 2021 10:44:59 +0300
Revision and description of six species of Choeradoplana (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida), with an emendation to the genus https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/59617/ ZooKeys 1016: 1-48

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1016.59617

Authors: Domingo Lago-Barcia, Marcos Santos Silva, Fernando Carbayo

Abstract: Living representatives of the Neotropical genus Choeradoplana 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 Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. The species Choeradoplana 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 & Müller, 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 Pseudogeoplana aevipandemiae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. is suggested for Graff’s specimen.

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Research Article Thu, 11 Feb 2021 17:57:27 +0200
X-ray microcomputed tomography applied to the taxonomic study of rare material: redescriptions of seven of Schirch’s Brazilian species of land planarians (Geoplanidae, Platyhelminthes) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/39486/ ZooKeys 910: 1-42

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.910.39486

Authors: Marcos Santos Silva, Fernando Carbayo

Abstract: In 2016, the type-material of ten of the 15 Brazilian land planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Geoplanidae) described by Schirch (1929) was discovered deposited in the Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ). Schirch only described the external morphology of these species, all originally placed in the genus Geoplana. By the 1930s and 1950s Geoplana itatiayana, G. plana, and G. rezendei underwent taxonomic revision based on the study of non-type specimens. The remaining 12 species also underwent a taxonomic revision but only based on the literature. Current names of these species are Geoplana goettei, Pseudogeoplana arpi, Ps. blaseri, Ps. bonita, Ps. bresslaui, Ps. cardosi, Ps. doederleini, Ps. lumbricoides, Ps. obscura, Ps. riedeli, Ps. theresopolitana, and Ps. wetzeli. The species Geoplana maximiliani sensu Schirch (1929) was renamed as Ps. schirchi Ogren & Kawakatsu, 1990. The present study reports a taxonomic revision of seven of Schirch’s species using type material, namely Obama itatiayana, Pasipha plana, Pseudogeoplana arpi, Ps. bresslaui, Ps. doederleini, Ps. schirchi and Ps. wetzeli. Additional specimens of some of these species were also examined. Morphological data from histological preparations and from virtual sections were obtained through a non-destructive technique of X-ray computed microtomography (µCT). This approach resulted in the preservation of the entire body of at least one type-specimen of each species, and the holotype of Ps. bresslaui. Conspecificity of O. itatiayana and P. plana was confirmed, as previously reported in the literature. It is also proposed that Ps. bresslaui belongs to the genus Paraba, while the other species should remain in Pseudogeoplana, since type-specimens are either immature, poorly preserved or simply lost.

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Research Article Mon, 10 Feb 2020 16:49:30 +0200
First record of the New Guinea flatworm Platydemus manokwari (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae) as an alien species in Hong Kong Island, China https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/36458/ ZooKeys 873: 1-7

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.873.36458

Authors: Junjie Hu, Muhua Yang, Elysia Ruoyan Ye, Yulong Ye, Yao Niu

Abstract: The New Guinea flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) caused extinction of the native land snails on several Pacific island in past decades, and therefore it has been listed among the top 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species. Using morphological and molecular methods, New Guinea flatworms were discovered and identified for the first time in Hong Kong Island during a field investigation in July and August 2018. The flatworms were 32–60 mm long, 3–5 mm wide, and 1–2 mm thick. The dorsal side of the flatworm was dark brown with a thin yellow central line, and its ventral side appeared pale grey. To further verify this species, both 18S rDNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COX1) obtained from three specimens of P. manokwari were sequenced and analysed. While comparing these sequences with those previously deposited in GenBank, these 18S rDNA sequences shared 100% identity with the single available 18S rDNA sequence of P. manokwari; and the obtained COX1 sequences were identical to those of P. manokwari world genotype. Two native snails, Criptosoma imperator and Bradybaena similaris, have been found to be the prey of this predator during this investigation. Therefore, the invasive New Guinea flatworm certainly will cause a serious impact on the biodiversity of native snail populations, and an economic and environmental risk assessment for P. manokwari need to be completed in the near future in Hong Kong.

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Short Communication Thu, 29 Aug 2019 20:35:10 +0300
Why be original? Two new species of Choeradoplana resembling the type species of the genus in their external aspects (Platyhelminthes, Continenticola) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/29565/ ZooKeys 813: 1-19

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.813.29565

Authors: Giuly Gouvêa Iturralde, Ana Leal-Zanchet

Abstract: The genus Choeradoplana Graff, 1896 encompasses 16 species, most of them found in Brazil. Herein two new species of this genus are described from remnants of Araucaria moist forests, located in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, south Brazil. Both species resemble the type-species of the genus, C. iheringi, showing brownish dorsal surface covered by dark-brown flecks. However, regarding their anatomy, the new species differ from C. iheringi and other congeners by a long and horizontal disposed permanent papilla. In such aspects, both species resemble C. benyai, but differ from this species, as well as from each other, in details of the prostatic vesicle, ejaculatory duct, and penis papilla.

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Research Article Mon, 7 Jan 2019 15:28:01 +0200
New molecular sequences for two genera of marine planarians facilitate determination of their position in the phylogenetic tree, with new records for two species (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Maricola) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/26324/ ZooKeys 781: 1-17

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.781.26324

Authors: Hee-Min Yang, Ronald Sluys, Masaharu Kawakatsu, Gi-Sik Min

Abstract: For the first time, molecular sequences of the 18S ribosomal DNA were generated for representatives of the genera Obrimoposthia Sluys & Ball, 1989 and Paucumara Sluys, 1989 of the suborder of the marine triclads, or Maricola, by analyzing the species Obrimoposthia wandeli (Hallez, 1906) and Paucumara trigonocephala (Ijima & Kaburaki, 1916). On the basis of this molecular data the phylogenetic position of these two genera in the phylogenetic tree of the Maricola was determined and compared with their position in the phylogeny based on the analysis of anatomical features. New records for these two species are documented and their taxonomic status is determined on the basis of histological studies.

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Research Article Thu, 9 Aug 2018 03:02:51 +0300
Searching for shelter in a ferruginous cave? A new species of Pasipha from a plateau in the Brazilian savanna (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/26308/ ZooKeys 776: 13-25

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.776.26308

Authors: Ana Leal-Zanchet, Alessandro Marques

Abstract: In a fauna survey in the eastern margin of Serra do Espinhaço Plateau, in an area belonging to the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado phytophysiognomy), a land flatworm was sampled in a ferruginous cave. Anatomical and histological analyses indicated that it belongs to a new species of the genus Pasipha, which is herein described. The new species shows an almost homogenous dark brown dorsal pigmentation, eyes spreading over the dorsal surface, a collar-shaped pharynx, and a prostatic vesicle with two portions separated by a canal. It differs from similar species mainly by anatomical and histological details of the ejaculatory duct, as well as male and female atria. The flatworm shows no troglomorphic traits and was collected once in the entrance zone of the cave. Hence, despite representing the first land flatworm species described from a Neotropical cave, we consider that its occurrence in the cave is probably occasional, using it as a shelter.

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Research Article Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:36:27 +0300
A new species of the land planarian Issoca sheds light on the polyphyletic status of the genus (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Geoplaninae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/24615/ ZooKeys 752: 1-15

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.752.24615

Authors: Ana Paula Goulart Araujo, Fernando Carbayo

Abstract: A new species of the genus Issoca (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Geoplaninae) is described. Issoca assanga sp. n. presents the diagnostic features of the genus, with the exception of the relative position of the subneural parenchymal muscle layer with the cephalic retractor muscle, which are overlapped in the type species of the genus but are intersected in the new species. Rather than a polymorphic character, the relative position of these muscle layers might reflect the polyphyletic status of the genus.

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Research Article Mon, 23 Apr 2018 17:18:03 +0300
First report of the genus Cratera (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae) in Argentina, with description of a new species and comments on the species of the genus https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/9465/ ZooKeys 610: 1-12

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.610.9465

Authors: Lisandro Negrete, Francisco Brusa

Abstract: A new species of land planarians of the genus Cratera is described. Cratera viridimaculata sp. n. was recorded in the Atlantic Forest Ecoregion, in north-eastern Argentina, and represents the first report of the genus Cratera outside Brazil. The new species is about 50 mm in length and externally characterized by a color pattern consisting of a light green olive pigmentation on the dorsum, stippled with dark gray fine spots, and dorsal eyes. Other features regarding the internal anatomy are the presence of a glandular margin, Cutaneous Muscular Index (CMI) of 10–13%, pharynx cylindrical, prostatic vesicle extrabulbar, tubular and C-shaped, with a proximal bifurcated portion, penis papilla protrusible with ejaculatory duct widened in its distal portion, and female atrium funnel-shaped. The new species is compared and discussed with its congeners.

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Research Article Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:31:28 +0300