PeerJ (Oct 2020)

A new species of alien terrestrial planarian in Spain: Caenoplana decolorata

  • Eduardo Mateos,
  • Hugh D. Jones,
  • Marta Riutort,
  • Marta Álvarez-Presas

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10013
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8
p. e10013

Abstract

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Terrestrial planarians found in a plant nursery in Spain in 2012 are described as a new species, Caenoplana decolorata. Dorsally they are mahogany brown with a cream median line. Ventrally they are pastel turquoise fading to brown laterally. Molecular data indicate that they are a member of the genus Caenoplana, but that they differ from other Caenoplana species found in Europe. One mature specimen has been partially sectioned, and the musculature and copulatory apparatus is described, confirming the generic placement but distinguishing the species from other members of the genus. It is probable that the species originates from Australia.

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