title: The first troglobitic species of freshwater flatworm of the suborder Continenticola (Platyhelminthes) from South America.
abstract: Brazilian cave diversity, especially of invertebrates, is poorly known. The Bodoquena Plateau, which is located in the Cerrado Biome in central Brazil, has approximately 200 recorded caves with a rich system of subterranean water resources and high troglobitic diversity. Herein we describe a new troglobitic species of Girardia that represents the first obligate cave-dwelling species of the suborder Continenticola in South America. Specimens of the new species, which occur in a limestone cave in the Bodoquena Plateau, in the Cerrado biome, are unpigmented and eyeless. Species recognition in the genus Girardia is difficult, due to their great morphological resemblance. However, the new species can be easily recognized by a unique feature in its copulatory apparatus, namely a large, branched bulbar cavity with multiple diverticula.
authors: Instituto de Pesquisas de Planárias and Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos - UNISINOS, 93022-000 São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil.
authors: Stella Teles
authors: ST
authors: de Souza
authors: Instituto de Pesquisas de Planárias and Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos - UNISINOS, 93022-000 São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil.
authors: Ana Laura Nunes
authors: AL
authors: Morais
authors: Instituto de Biociências da Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Zoologia, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, nº 321, Cidade Universitária,CEP: 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Lívia Medeiros
authors: LM
authors: Cordeiro
authors: Instituto de Pesquisas de Planárias and Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos - UNISINOS, 93022-000 São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil.
authors: Ana Maria
authors: AM
authors: Leal-Zanchet
keywords: Brazilian savannah; New cave-dwelling species; planarians; subterranean diversity; triclads
references: Zookeys. 2014 Sep 23;(442):1-15
references: 25349486