Souza, S.T.; Morais, A.L.M.; Bichuette, M.E.; Leal-Zanchet, A.M. (2016). Two new species of freshwater flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Continenticola) from South American caves. Zootaxa. 4092 (1): 107-121.

260621

10.11646/zootaxa.4092.1.6 [view]

Souza, S.T.; Morais, A.L.M.; Bichuette, M.E.; Leal-Zanchet, A.M.

2016

4092 (1): 107-121

Publication

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.

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