Jump to content

Geobia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Geobia subterranea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Order: Tricladida
Family: Geoplanidae
Subfamily: Geoplaninae
Genus: Geobia
Diesing, 1861
Species:
G. subterranea
Binomial name
Geobia subterranea
(Schultze & Müller, 1857)
Synonyms
  • Geoplana subterranea Schultze & Müller, 1857

Geobia is a monotypic genus of land planarians from South America.

Description

[edit]

The genus Geobia has a very elongated body. The only species in the genus, Geobia subterranea, has several adaptations for a subterranean lifestyle, such as lack of eyes, pigments, and creeping sole, i.e., the ventral side has only some sparse cilia, unlike most other genera. The cutaneous musculature is very strong,[1] especially in the anterior region,[2] possibly as an adaptation due to its burrowing habits.

The copulatory apparatus of Geobia has a permanent but small penis and an elongated prostatic vesicle. The female canal enters the genital antrum dorsally.[2]

Distribution and ecology

[edit]

Geobia subterranea is found in areas covered by the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil. Its known distribution includes the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina.[3]

It is known to feed on earthworms,[2] attaching its body to the prey and sucking the contents after releasing digestive enzymes. The planarian's colorless body usually acquires a brownish or pinkish tinge after a meal due to the gut contents.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ogren, R. E. and Kawakatsu, M. (1990). Index to the species of the family Geoplanidae (Turbellaria, Tricladida, Terricola) Part I: Geoplaninae. Bulletin of Fujis Women's College, 29: 79-166.
  2. ^ a b c Froehlich, C. G. (1955) Sobre Morfologia e Taxonomia de Geoplanidae. Boletim da Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras da Universidade de São Paulo, Série Zoologia, 19: 195-279.
  3. ^ Turbellarian Taxonomic Database: Geobia