[Invertebrate • 2024] Nymphozoon cinderella • A New Species of marine flatworm (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) from Japan

Nymphozoon cinderella 

Tsuyuki & Okuno, 2024 

DOI: 10.5343/bms.2023.0079 

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 Abstract 

Marine flatworms in Pseudocerotidae Lang, 1884 are known as one of the most abundant groups among polyclads so far. To date, there have been specimen-based records of 36 named species in 5 genera in this family from Japan. The species of Nymphozoon Hyman, 1959 (Polycladida, Pseudocerotidae) are widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, but the only known report of the genus in Japan is based on a photo of Nymphozoon orsaki (Newman and Cannon, 1996) taken in the Okinawa Islands. In this paper, we describe a new species from Japanese shallow waters, Nymphozoon cinderella sp. nov., which is characterized by having (1) square-shaped pseudotentacles with broad, black- colored edges and white tips, (2) dull grayish or brownish dorsal coloration, (3) a narrow brown-to-black line encircling the body periphery, and (4) a wide grayish dorsal middle band fringed with a brown-to-black line. Despite that the observed color pattern clearly distinguishes the new species from N. orsaki collected in Papua New Guinea, the p-distance based on partial (942 bp) 28S rDNA gene sequences (1.27%) was comparable to the intraspecific range for pseudocerotids. Further analyses based on more rapidly evolving genetic markers such as cytochrome c oxidase subunit I would probably be required to provide enough support to the molecular distinction between these two species having obviously different body color patterns.

 

Nymphozoon cinderella sp. nov., 

 

 Tsuyuki, Aoi and Okuno, Junji. 2024. Nymphozoon cinderella sp. nov. (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae), A New Species of marine flatworm from Japan. Bulletin of Marine Science. 100(1);81-94. DOI: doi.org/10.5343/bms.2023.0079

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[Invertebrate • 2020] Bulaceros newcannorum • A Rare Polyclad Genus Bulaceros (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae): New Species and New Record from Indian Coral Atolls

Bulaceros newcannorum 

Dixit, Manjebrayakath & Saravanane, 2020

 

DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2020.1870044

ABSTRACT

The genus Bulaceros (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) erected by Newman & Cannon (1996) is a rare genus found only in the Pacific Ocean and is known by only one species, Bulaceros porcellanus Newman & Cannon, 1996 so far. The present work, based on collection from the Lakshadweep Islands, which are the only coral atolls in India, describes a second species Bulaceros newcannorum sp. nov. under this genus and also reports the occurrence of Bulaceros porcellanus for the first time from the Indian Ocean. Bulaceros newcannorum sp. nov. is described based on external and internal morphology supported with histological studies and photographs of external and internal details. Bulaceros newcannorum sp. nov. is characterized by knobbed pseudotentacles with white tips, translucent background with brown gut diverticula, darker medially, irregular white spots on the dorsum, margin of white spots and submarginal band in a mixture of brown and black. This is the first report of the genus Bulaceros from the entire Indian Ocean region.

 

KEYWORDS: Rhabditophora, marine flatworm, taxonomy, novel species, Lakshadweep, Agatti Island, Indian Ocean

 

Sudhanshu Dixit, Hashim Manjebrayakath and N. Saravanane. 2020. A Rare Polyclad Genus Bulaceros (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae): New Species and New Record from Indian Coral Atolls. Marine Biology Research. 16(8-9); 632-642. DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2020.1870044

New marine flatworm from rare group discovered from the coral atolls of Lakshadweep

 india.mongabay.com/2021/04/new-marine-flatworm-from-rare-group-discovered-from-the-coral-atolls-of-lakshadweep/

     

[Invertebrate • 2020] Pericelis flavomarginata (Polycladida: Cotylea) and Its Predatory Behavior on A Scaleworm

Pericelis flavomarginata

Tsuyuki, Oya, Jimi & Kajihara, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4894.3.6

Abstract

We describe a new species of polyclad flatworm, Pericelis flavomarginata sp. nov., from the intertidal and subtidal zones along localities on the Pacific coast of Japan. Pericelis flavomarginata sp. nov. is characterized by i) the dorsal surface of the body fringed by a lemon-yellow line except for the tip of tentacles, with a narrow brown midline running from the anterior edge of the body to the posterior end of the pharynx, ii) the pair of marginal tentacles with the tips extending and tapering, and iii) the presence of a common gonopore. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that selected Pericelis species were divided into two clades, each of which may be agreed with a characteristic dorsal color pattern. Additionally, we report an observation on the feeding behavior of P. flavomarginata sp. nov. on the polychaete Iphione muricata (Savigny in Lamarck, 1818).

Keywords: Polycladida, Diposthidae, feeding habit, Iphionidae, marine invertebrates, phylogeny, Platyhelminthes, prey, taxonomy

 

Aoi Tsuyuki, Yuki Oya, Naoto Jimi and Hiroshi Kajihara. 2020. Description of Pericelis flavomarginata sp. nov. (Polycladida: Cotylea) and Its Predatory Behavior on A Scaleworm.  Zootaxa. 4894(3); 403–412. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4894.3.6

[Invertebrate • 2020] Zygantroides serpulidicola • A New Species of Zygantroides (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida) from Amakusa, Japan

Zygantroides serpulidicola 

Oya, Tsuyuki & Kajihara, 2020

DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.25.189 

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We describe a new species of ilyplanid polyclad, Zygantroides serpulidicola sp. nov., from Amakusa, Kumamoto, Japan. This is the third member of Zygantroides Faubel, 1983 and the first record of the genus from the Pacific Ocean. Zygantroides serpulidicola sp. nov. is characterized by i) the mouth opening near the common gonopore, ii) the sperm ducts separately entering a pear-shaped seminal vesicle, iii) an elongated Lang’s-vesicle duct, and iv) the horseshoe-shaped Lang’s vesicle located posterior to the common gonopore. We provide a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene (712 bp) as a DNA barcode for the species. Our phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated sequences of the 16S, 18S, and 28S ribosomal DNA and COI indicate that Z. serpulidicola sp. nov. is nested in a clade comprised of Discocelidae and Ilyplanidae; the latter does not appear to be monophyletic.

Keywords: Acotylea, Discoceloidea, DNA barcoding, marine flatworm

Fig. 1. Photograph of a living individual of Zygantroides serpulidicola sp. nov. on tubes of serpulid annelids.

Fig. 2. Zygantroides serpulidicola sp. nov., photographs taken in life. 
A, Dorsal view, ICHUM 6023 (holotype); B, dorsal view, ICHUM 6025 (paratype); C, ventral view, ICHUM 6023 (holotype). 

Abbreviations: ph, pharynx; sp, sperm duct. Scale bars: 5mm (A–C).

Taxonomy 

Genus Zygantroides Faubel, 1983 

Redefinition. Ilyplanidae without tentacles and marginal eyes. Pharynx somewhat oriented posteriorly. Genital tracts entering separately into common genital atrium; male complex with seminal vesicle and papillate penis. Distal part of ejaculatory duct lined with glandular ciliated epithelium. Lang’s vesicle present (see Remarks). 

Zygantroides serpulidicola sp. nov. 

Etymology. The new specific name serpulidicola is a noun in apposition and refers to the habit that the flatworms dwell on tubes of serpulid annelids (Fig. 1).

 

 Yuki Oya, Aoi Tsuyuki and Hiroshi Kajihara. 2020. A New Species of Zygantroides (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida) from Amakusa, Japan. Species Diversity. 25(2); 189–196. DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.25.189

twitter.com/yanonnama430/status/1306786272422383617

[Invertebrate • 2020] Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) from the Cloudy Grouper Epinephelus erythrurus (Valenciennes) (Perciformes: Serranidae) in the lower Gulf of Thailand

Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis 

Saengpheng & Purivirojkul, 2020

  DOI:  10.1007/s11230-019-09899-z 

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 facebook.com/WatchariyaP  KU.ac.th

Abstract

Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis n. sp. is described from the gills of the cloudy grouper Epinephelus erythrurus (Valenciennes) caught in the lower Gulf of Thailand. The new species is distinguished from other species assigned to the genus by the structure of its sclerotised vagina which has a wide and prominent sclerotised trumpet, long, thin, coiled or curved primary canal, short secondary canal, and primary and secondary chambers that are blind extremities of the primary and secondary canals, respectively. This is the first species of Pseudorhabdosynochus Yamaguti, 1958 described from E. erythrurus and the first record of a species of Pseudorhabdosynochus in Thailand.

Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis n. sp.
A, Composite drawing (mainly from the holotype), ventral view; B, Male quadriloculate organ, ventral view; C, Sclerotised vagina, ventral view; D, Dorsal hamulus; E, Ventral hamulus; F, Dorsal bar; G, Ventral bar; H, Squamodisc.

 Scale-bars: A, 200 µm; B–H, 50 µm

Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis n. sp.

Type-host: Epinephelus erythrurus (Valenciennes) (Perciformes: Serranidae).

Type-locality: The lower Gulf of Thailand (...), October 2018.

Site in host: Gills.

Prevalence and intensity: 100% (30/30); mean intensity: 38 individuals/fish (1,140/30).

Etymology: The species name honors Kasetsart University and the Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute, the institute that has funded our aquatic parasitology studies for many years.

Chompunooch Saengpheng and Watchariya Purivirojkul. 2020. Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) from the Cloudy Grouper Epinephelus erythrurus (Valenciennes) (Perciformes: Serranidae) in the lower Gulf of Thailand. Systematic Parasitology. 97(1); 99–106.  DOI:  10.1007/s11230-019-09899-z

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 facebook.com/WatchariyaP/posts/10207143778948207

https://ag2.kku.ac.th/kaj/PDF.cfm?filename=O028%20Fis41.pdf&id=2637&keeptrack=4

[Invertebrate • 2019] Polyclad Fauna of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India: New Records and Description of Two New Species • Pseudoceros agattiensis & P. stellans

Pseudoceros agattiensis

Bayyana,  Manjebrayakath, Saravanane & Sudhakar, 2019

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4657.2.2

Abstract

The present paper deals with the first study of polyclad fauna from Agatti Island, Lakshadweep. Through this study, Pseudobiceors apricus, Pseudobiceros hymanae and Pseudoceros bolool are recorded for the first time from Lakshadweep waters while Pseudoceros bicolor is recorded for the first time from Indian waters. Description of two new species, Pseudoceros agattiensis sp. nov. and Pseuodoceros stellans sp. nov. is also provided with good quality photographs of external and internal details. Pseudoceros agattiensis sp. nov. is characterized by a brown to black background colour, with minute white spots, marginal band thick and black with minute white spots present at very edge of the margin, three dorsal longitudinal white bands, out of which, two are laterally branched. Pseudoceros stellans sp. nov. displays a brown background colour with a black marginal band and completely covered with lighter microdots and a unique pattern of white dorsal blotches. This study adds to the knowledge of Indian polyclads, which are still an understudied group from Indian waters.

Keywords: Platyhelminthes, Pseudoceros, Marine flatworm, Taxonomy, novel species

Pseudoceros agattiensis sp. nov. (in-situ Holotype [IO/IT/POY/00005]) from Agatti Island.

Pseudoceros agattiensis sp. nov. Dixit

Etymology: The specific name refers to Agatti Island in Lakshadweep, where type specimen was collected.

Pseudoceros stellans sp. nov. Dixit

Etymology: From the Latin stellans (adjective) — starry or star studded; for stars like appearance on dorsum.

Sharad Bayyana, Hashim Manjebrayakath, N. Saravanane and M. Sudhakar. 2019. Polyclad Fauna of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India: New Records and Description of Two New Species. Zootaxa. 4657(2); 246–260. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4657.2.2

[Invertebrate • 2017] Pseudoceros auranticrinis, Pseudoceros vishnui & Prostheceraeus fuscolineatus • Two New Pseudoceros (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) and A Prostheceraeus (Polycladida: Euryleptidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Pseudoceros auranticrinis 

Dixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017 

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.5 

Abstract

Polyclads are free-living marine flatworms known for their striking colour and patterns. These animals though frequently encountered are still understudied in the Indian context. The present paper describes three new species, two belonging to the genus Pseudoceros Lang, 1884 and one to the genus Prostheceraeus Schmarda, 1859. Pseudoceros auranticrinis sp. nov. is characterised by whitish cream background colour, brown mottling with numerous white and dark brown spots all over the body except margins and a smooth dorsal surface with orange pseudotentacles, Pseudoceros vishnui sp. nov. is characterised by having purple to violet spots on dorsum with margin made up of blue spots, while Prostheceraeus fuscolineatus sp. nov. is characterised by presence of brown longitudinal lines on dorsum and black erected tentacles. This is the first description of any species under the genus Prostheceraeus from central Indo-Pacific as well as Indian Ocean. Some insights on feeding behaviour of P. vishnui sp. nov. are also provided.

Keywords: Polyclad, Pseudoceros, Prostheceraeus, new species, taxonomy, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India, Platyhelminthes

Sudhanshu Dixit, C. Raghunathan and Kailash Chandra. 2017. Two New Pseudoceros (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) and a Prostheceraeus (Polycladida: Euryleptidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. 
Zootaxa. 4269(4); 495–512.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.5

[Invertebrate • 2017] Cratera cryptolineata, C. nigrimarginata & C. aureomaculata • Three New Species of Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013 (Platyhelminthes, Continenticola) from Araucaria Forests with A Key to Species of the Genus

Cratera cryptolineata, C. nigrimarginata & C. aureomaculata  

Rossi & Leal-Zanchet, 2017  

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.643.11093 

Abstract

Areas of Araucaria moist forest have been considered to constitute hotspots of land flatworm diversity, harbouring a high number of undescribed species. Herein we describe three new species of land flatworms of Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013 occurring in such type of forest in south Brazil. The three species are differentiated from their congeners mainly by their colour pattern, anatomy of the pharynx and prostatic vesicle, and details of the penis papilla and male atrium. An identification key to species of the genus in the Neotropical region is provided.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest, Geoplaninae, land flatworms, Neotropical region, taxonomy, Tricladida

Taxonomy

Family Geoplanidae Stimpson, 1857

Subfamily Geoplaninae Stimpson, 1857

Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013

• Cratera cryptolineata sp. n.

Diagnosis: Species of Cratera with dark-brown dorsal colour, thin median stripe and greyish margins; eyes dorsal with clear halos; pharynx cylindrical; prostatic vesicle almost horizontal; penis papilla conical and symmetrical occupying distal portion of female atrium.

Etymology: The specific name is a composite of the Greek adjective kryptós (hidden) and the Latin noun linea (stripe), referring to the thin median stripe, visible only under the stereomicroscope.

• Cratera nigrimarginata sp. n.

Diagnosis: Species of Cratera with light-brownish dorsal colour bordered by dark margins; eyes dorsal with clear halos and bilobed appearance; pharynx cylindrical; prostatic vesicle with unbranched and dilated proximal portion; tip of penis papilla with infolds projecting into ejaculatory duct; cyanophil glands pierce male atrium evenly distributed.

Etymology: The specific name is a composite of the Latin adjective niger (black) and the Latin noun margo (margin), referring to the colour pattern with dark margins.

• Cratera aureomaculata sp. n.

Diagnosis: Species of Cratera with dorsal ground colour yellowish covered by brownish pigmentation in cephalic region and blackish pigmentation constituting irregular flecks over rest of dorsum; eyes dorsal with clear halos; pharynx cylindrical; prostatic vesicle unpaired with proximal portion displaced ventrally, laterally expanded and T-shaped; penis papilla conical and symmetrical with ventral insertion posteriorly displaced.

Etymology: The specific name is a composite of the Latin adjective aureus (golden) and the Latin noun macula (spot), referring to the colour pattern with yellowish ground colour covered by black irregular flecks.

  

 Ilana Rossi and Ana Leal-Zanchet. 2017. Three New Species of Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013 from Araucaria Forests with A Key to Species of the Genus (Platyhelminthes, Continenticola). ZooKeys. 643: 1-32. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.643.11093

Hidden diversity: 3 new species of land flatworms from the Brazilian Ara...  bit.ly/2jusW5B via @Pensoft @EurekAlert

[Invertebrate • 2014] Hausera hauseri • A New Genus and Species for the First Recorded Cave-dwelling Cavernicola (Platyhelminthes) from South America

Hausera hauseri Leal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n.  photograph of live specimens in dorsal view, with intestine containing food and the pharynx visible

doi: 10.3897/zookeys.442.8199

Abstract

Species diversity of Brazilian cave fauna has been seriously underestimated. A karst area located in Felipe Guerra, northeastern Brazil, which is a hotspot of subterranean diversity in Brazil, has revealed more than 20 troglobitic species, most of them still undescribed. Based on recent samplings in this karst area, we document the occurrence of the suborder Cavernicola (Platyhelminthes) in South American hypogean environments for the first time and describe a new genus and species for this suborder. Hausera Leal-Zanchet & Souza, gen. n. has features concordant with those defined for the family Dimarcusidae. The new genus is characterized by two unique features, viz. an intestine extending dorsally to the brain and ovovitelline ducts located dorsally to the nerve cords, which is complemented by a combination of other characters. The type-specimens of Hausera hauseri Leal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n. are typical stygobionts, unpigmented and eyeless, and they may constitute an oceanic relict as is the case of other stygobiotic invertebrates found in this karst area in northeastern Brazil.

Type-locality of Hausera hauseri Leal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n.:
1–2 location in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, showing the range of limestone outcrops from the Apodi Group in detail (black) and the location of the Crotes cave (star) 3

Type-locality of Hausera hauseri Leal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n.:
the location of the Crotes cave surroundings of the main cave entrance (3) and aerial view of the region (4) indicating the cave contours (red/yellow line), main entrance (white arrow) and secondary gallery (red arrow); 5 perennial stream representing the sampling site.

Systematic account

Order Tricladida Lang, 1884

Suborder Cavernicola Sluys, 1990

Family Dimarcusidae Mitchell & Kawakatsu, 1972

Genus Hausera Leal-Zanchet & Souza, gen. n.

http://zoobank.org/9F362C51-4671-40B7-A28B-4DC46A59D0C5

Type-species: Hausera hauseri Leal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n. Monotypic

Diagnosis: Dimarcusidae without eyes and without a copulatory bursa; female genital duct communicating with the intestine; ovovitelline ducts without caudal dichotomy, uniting to form a common ovovitelline duct; follicular testes; sperm ducts separately penetrating the penis bulb.

Distribution: Felipe Guerra (Crotes cave), Brazil

Etymology: The new genus is dedicated to the late Prof Dr Josef Hauser SJ as acknowledgement of his great enthusiasm for the study of freshwater flatworms. Gender: feminine.

Ana Leal-Zanchet, Stella Souza and Rodrigo Ferreira. 2014. A New Genus and Species for the first recorded Cave-dwelling Cavernicola (Platyhelminthes) from South America. ZooKeys. 442: 1-15. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.442.8199

Brazilian zoologists discovered the first obligate cave- dwelling flatworm in South America

http://www.pensoft.net/news.php?n=422&SESID=4lfgfituc08qugqt5am2kr30l5