Silvana Amaral

Focus on the details: morphological evidence supports new cryptic land flatworm (Platyhelminthes) species revealed with molecules

We found numerous dull brown land planarians of the subfamily Geoplaninae within native rainforests and in nearby man-disturbed habitats in Southeastern and South Brazil. Their external and internal morphology are similar to those of Obama ladislavii (Von Graff, 1899), with the exception of the luminous green dorsum of this species, from which a brownish-green variation is also known. Since morphological features commonly used to delimit geoplaninid species failed to distinguish them, we used coalescent and Bayesian-based molecular methods (GMYC, BPP). These methods indicated that we were actually dealing with three species, the greenish O. ladislavii, and two brownish, cryptic species. A meticulous morphological study of the specimens, including type material of O. ladislavii, allowed us to ascertain diagnostic features for each of the species, for which we also propose a molecular diagnosis. This integrative taxonomic study demonstrates the utility of molecular tools to weigh minor morphological features and thus to reveal otherwise cryptic species.

Two new Geoplaninae species (Platyhelminthes: Continenticola) from Southern Brazil based on an integrative taxonomic approach

Abstract The genera Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013 and Obama Carbayo et al., 2013, belonging to the subfamily Geoplaninae, were recently proposed to encompass some of the species that belonged to the genus Geoplana Stimpson, 1857. Herein we describe two new species of Geoplaninae, occurring in areas of ombrophilous forest which belong to the southern portion of the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest. The species are sympatric in their type-locality. In general, both new species herein described match the diagnostic characteristics of their genera. However, some of these features are noteworthy when characters of the new species are taken into consideration, especially the pattern of the sensory pits and the morphology of the prostatic vesicle. Both species are differentiated from their congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics, corroborated by phylogenetic analyses of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, as well as the Automatic Barcode Gap tool.

A taste for exotic food: Neotropical land planarians feeding on an invasive flatworm.

Invasive species establish successfully in new habitats especially due to their ability to include new species in their diet and due to the freedom from natural enemies. However, native species may also adapt to the use of new elements in their ecosystem. The planarian Endeavouria septemlineata, first recorded in Hawaii, was later found in Brazil. Recently, we found it in human-disturbed areas in southern Brazil and here we investigate its interactions with other invertebrates both in the field and in the laboratory. We observed the species in the field during collecting activities and hence maintained some specimens alive in small terraria in the laboratory, where we offered different invertebrate species as potential prey and also put them in contact with native land planarians in order to examine their interaction. Both in the field and in the laboratory, E. septemlineata showed a gregarious behavior and was found feeding on woodlice, millipedes, earwigs and gastropods. In the laboratory, specimens often did not attack live prey, but immediately approached dead specimens, indicating a scavenging behavior. In an experiment using the slug Deroceras laeve and the woodlouse Atlantoscia floridana, there was a higher consumption of dead specimens of woodlice and slugs compared to live specimens, as well as a higher consumption of dead woodlice over dead slugs. Four native land planarians of the genus Obama and one of the genus Paraba attacked and consumed E. septemlineata, which, after the beginning of the attack, tried to escape by tumbling or using autotomy. As a scavenger, E. septemlineata would have no impact on the populations of species used as food, but could possibly exclude native scavengers by competition. On the other hand, its consumption by native land planarians may control its spread and thus reduce its impact on the ecosystem.

A new species of land flatworm (Platyhelminthes: Continenticola) from areas of Araucaria Forest in southern Brazil

The genus Cratera Carbayo et al. was proposed to encompass five species of Geoplaninae from southeastern Brazil that were mainly recorded in the state of São Paulo. Here we describe a new species of the genus, C. steffeni sp. nov., that occurs in areas of Araucaria Forest in southern Brazil, which augments the known distribution of Cratera. The new species is distinguished from others of the genus by its characteristic colour pattern and a combination of internal morphological characters.

Body doubles: an integrative taxonomic approach reveals new sibling species of land planarians

Abstract. Records of cryptic species have continued to emerge in the scientific literature, often revealed by the use of molecular phylogenetic analyses in an integrative taxonomic approach. This study addresses a group of four striped flatworms from the genus Pasipha Ogren & Kawakatsu, showing a pale median stripe on a dark dorsal surface. Based on morphological and molecular analyses from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI), we establish that we are dealing with sibling species that are closely related to P. brevilineata Leal-Zanchet, Rossi & Alvarenga, 2012, a recently described species with a similar colour pattern. Thus, we describe three of the studied flatworms as new species and propose one new unconfirmed candidate species based on molecular data. In addition, sequence analysis revealed 40 nucleotide autapomorphies supporting the species studied herein. Considering anatomical and histological features, the three new species are differentiated from their congeners mainly by details of the copulatory apparatus, such as the occurrence of an epithelium of pseudostratified appearance lining the female atrium and the shape and position of the proximal portion of the prostatic vesicle.

Land Flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida) in Remnants of Deciduous Forest in the Northeast Region Of Southern Brazil

Land flatworms show high endemism due to their restricted mobility. In southern Brazil, land flatworm communities have been found mainly in areas of ombrophilous forests. Thus, this study documents land planarian species composition in remnants of deciduous seasonal forest in the northeast region of southern Brazil. Direct, diurnal samplings reveal the occurrence of 26 species of land flatworms, of which one belongs to the subfamily Rhynchodeminae and the others to the subfamily Geoplaninae. The Rhynchodeminae genus Rhynchodemus Leidy 1851 and the following Geoplaninae genera occurred: CephaloflexaCarbayo & Leal-Zanchet, 2003, Choeradoplana Graff, 1896, Imbira Carbayo et al., 2013, IssocaFroehlich, 1955, LuteostriataCarbayo, 2010, Obama Carbayo et al., 2013, Paraba Carbayo et al., 2013, Pasipha Ogren & Kawakatsu, 1990 and XerapoaFroehlich, 1955, besides the collective group Pseudogeoplana Ogren & Kawakatsu, 1990. The genus Obama had the highest species richness (S=6), followed by Paraba (S=4) and Pasipha (S=3). Eighteen species were recorded exclusively in one of the two study areas, and eight species occurred in both sites. The known distribution of Luteostriata abundans (Graff, 1899), Choeradoplana iheringiGraff, 1899, Obama ficki (Amaral & Leal-Zanchet, 2012), Imbira guaiana (Leal-Zanchet & Carbayo, 2001) and Pasipha hauseri (Froehlich, 1959) is increased. Results emphasize the relevance of expanding taxonomic studies on land flatworms and including more study areas in southern Brazil.

Two new species of Pasipha Ogren & Kawakatsu (Platyhelminthes: Continenticola) from areas of deciduous forest in southern Brazil

Two new species of Geoplaninae from southern Brazil are described herein. The new species, belonging to the genus Pasipha Ogren & Kawakatsu, 1990, can be distinguished from each other and from their congeners by colour pattern and characteristics of the copulatory apparatus, especially regarding the female organs and prostatic vesicle. Both new species seem to be endemic to areas covered by deciduous forest.

Tracking the diversity of the flatworm genus Imbira (Platyhelminthes) in the Atlantic Forest

The genus Imbira Carbayo et al., 2013 encompasses two species, Imbira guaiana (Leal-Zanchet & Carbayo, 2001) and Imbira marcusi Carbayo et al., 2013, which occur in south Brazil, in areas originally covered by the Atlantic Forest. In the present study, we examine the genetic diversity within the genus, investigate the occurrence of molecular autapomorphies for its species and describe a new species for the genus based on an integrative approach. The Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses based on DNA barcoding recovered the monophyly of the genus Imbira, but indicate that specimens representing I. marcusi correspond to five distinct lineages. These analyses, as well as sequence divergence data, revealed that the new species herein described is closely related to I. guaiana and that the specific status of specimens of I. marcusi available in GenBank should be reviewed. In addition, sequence analysis revealed 32 molecular autapomorphies for all independent evolutionary units within the genus. The new species described herein seems to be endemic to its type locality, a private area without legal protection.

Catalogue of distribution of lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) from the Brazilian Amazonia. IV. Alopoglossidae, Gymnophthalmidae

We present distribution data of all Alopoglossidae and Gymnophthalmidae lizards known from the Brazilian Amazonia, totaling 54 species-level taxa, belonging to 17 genera and two families. This represents 22 more species-level taxa than previously reported. Data were based on 17,431 specimens deposited in three North American and eight Brazilian museums, including the main collections harboring Amazonian material. Most species (~80%) are endemic to Amazonia; non-endemic species are mainly associated with open vegetation (savanna) enclaves or open dry (semideciduous) forest in Amazonia, with a few exceptions. As a whole, seven taxa (including one species complex) are widespread in Amazonia, six are restricted to eastern Amazonia, seven to western Amazonia, two to southwestern Amazonia, 11 to southern Amazonia, 11 to northern Amazonia (either in part of it or widespread in the Guiana region), and six to the southern peripheral portion of Amazonia. Besides, four species present unique distributions. Considering this study and the other three catalogues of distribution of lizards already published, the total number of lizard species from Brazilian Amazonia increased from 97 to 142 species-level tava. It represents an increase of 45 species from the region since the last revision.

Catalogue of distribution of lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) from the Brazilian Amazonia. III. Anguidae, Scincidae, Teiidae

We present distribution data of all Anguidae, Scincidae, and Teiidae lizards known from the Brazilian Amazonia, totaling 29 species-level taxa, belonging to 14 genera. This represents 11 more species-level taxa than previously reported for these families in this area. Data were based on literature and 46,806 specimens deposited in three North American and eight Brazilian museums, including the main collections harboring Amazonian material. Most species (~55%) are endemic to Amazonia. Except for Ameiva ameiva, that is present in several environments and domains, non-endemic species are either associated with open dry (semideciduous) forest or open vegetation (savanna) enclaves in Amazonia, occupying similar environments outside Amazonia, gallery forests within the Cerrado, or present disjunct populations in the Atlantic Forest. As a whole, six taxa are widespread in Amazonia, four are restricted to eastern Amazonia, four to western Amazonia, three to southwestern Amazonia, one to northern Amazonia, and seven to the southern peripheral portion of Amazonia. Besides, two species present apparently more restricted, unique distributions. Only three species have a distribution that is congruent with one of the areas of endemism (AE) recognized for other organisms (birds and primates), of which two occur in AE Guiana and one in AE Inambari.