A new species of land planarian (Platyhelminthes: Continenticola) from a limestone cave in a Neotropical semi-arid environment

Abstract

A new species of Geoplaninae from a limestone cave located in northeastern Brazil is described herein. Paraba pankaru Amaral & Leal-Zanchet, sp. n. differs from its congeners by the color pattern and characteristics of the copulatory apparatus, especially regarding the prostatic vesicle. Unlike other species of Paraba, the species shows long, sensory pits, sometimes opening through wide invaginations, which may constitute a troglomorphism. The flatworm was collected in an aphotic and quite moist area, which was not far from one of the cave entrances, creeping over a clay ground. Therefore, this species may be adapted to the cave environment, constituting at least a troglophile.