Coming out in a harsh environment: a new genus and species for a land flatworm (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida) occurring in a ferruginous cave from the Brazilian savanna.

ABSTRACT: Faunal inventories in ferruginous caves from an area belonging to the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado phytophysiognomy), on the eastern margin of the Serra do Espinhaço Plateau, in southeastern Brazil, have revealed the occurrence of land flatworms. Herein, a flatworm sampled in such subterranean environment is described as a new genus and species of the Neotropical subfamily Geoplaninae, Difroehlichia elenae gen. nov., sp. nov. The new genus shows rare features within Geoplaninae, namely sub-cylindrical body, poorly developed sub-epidermal musculature and a narrow creeping sole. Some features, such as a small body and a broad sensory margin in the anterior region of the body, as well as the fact that the holotype showed signs of recent copula, may indicate an adaptation to the subterran

SUBMITTER: Leal-Zanchet AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6284438 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature