<i>Dugesia hepta</i>, nuova specie di Planaria di acqua dolce di Sardegna appartenente alla superspecie <i>Dugesia gonocephala</i> (Dugès) (Turbellaria, Tricladida)

Abstract

A planarian belonging to the group Dugesia gonocephala s.l. was found in thirteen sites in Sardinia (eleven in the catchment area of the Rio Mannu of Porto Torres and two in that of the Coghinas). It is morphologically related to Dugesia benazzii Lepori of Sardinia and Corsica but presents a different caryotype: 2n=14; n=7 chromosomes instead of 2n=16; n=8 chromosomes. The latter is considered to be the most common in the superspecies Dugesia gonocephala of central European and Mediterranean distribution areas. On the grounds of the genomic differences made evident and its particular distribution in Sardinia, the authors believe that the planarian in question should be considered a distinet species within the group Dugesia gollocephala s.l. and propose the denomination Dugesia hepta n. sp