The true identity ofObama(Platyhelminthes: Geoplanidae) flatworm spreading across Europe

Abstract

Since 2008 there have been many records in Europe (British Isles, Spain, France, Italy) of a large terrestrial planarian morphologically very similar to the Brazilian species Obama marmorata. Sequences of mitochondrial (Cox1) and nuclear (18S, 28S, ITS-1 and EF) genes from European specimens and some from Brazil indicate that they belong to a species different from that of other specimens also collected in Brazil. Moreover, the phylogenetic results show that they are not sister-species. Histological sections of both Brazilian and European specimens reveal subtle morphological differences between the two species. Obama marmorata is confined to Brazil, and the second, herein described new species, Obama nungara sp. nov., is found in Brazil and Europe. These cryptic species may be syntopic in areas in Brazil. The new species occurs in human-modified environments both in Brazil and in Europe. We also conclude that the specimens from Spain and Argentina identified previously as Obama marmorata belong to the new species.

Non‐destructive imaging to describe a new species of Obama land planarian (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida)

“…; Carbayo et al . ). In addition, the fact that male organs may be asymmetrical along the sagittal plane makes it difficult to determine their actual shape by only examining conventional histological slides.…”

Hidden diversity in forest soils: Characterization and comparison of terrestrial flatworm’s communities in two national parks in Spain

“…At last, none of the community studies conducted so far has taken into account the phylogenetic relationships between the species found, nor whether these relationships or the climatic and geological history of the area can explain communities’ composition differences among areas. Moreover, none has used molecular data in conjunction with phylogenetic inference methods to delineate genetic lineages, which also provides a more accurate delimitation of molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) or species and avoids the problem of identifying morphologically cryptic or pseudocryptic species (common in terrestrial planarians, Álvarez‐Presas et al., 2015; Carbayo, Álvarez‐Presas, Jones, & Riutort, 2016; Amaral et al., 2018) that may take much time and lengthen the process of community study.…”

“…Moreover, none has used molecular data in conjunction with phylogenetic inference methods to delineate genetic lineages, which also provides a more accurate delimitation of molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) or species and avoids the problem of identifying morphologically cryptic or pseudocryptic species (common in terrestrial planarians, Álvarez-Presas et al, 2015;Carbayo, Álvarez-Presas, Jones, & Riutort, 2016;Amaral et al, 2018) that may take much time and lengthen the process of community study.…”

Observations on food preference of Neotropical land planarians (Platyhelminthes), with emphasis on Obama anthropophila, and their phylogenetic diversification

“…The New Guinea rhynchodeminid, Platydemus manokwari preys on mollusks, earthworms, woodlice, flatworms and terrestrial ribbon worms (Sugiura 2009), while E. septemlineata feeds on earthworms, small insects, snails and slugs (Winsor et al 2004). Obama nungara is able to ingest organisms that are covered with mucus or chitin (Carbayo et al 2016). The generalist predatory behavior of these land planarians possibly favors successful colonization of non-native areas.…”

“…They have received this kind of attention as a result of their potentially detrimental impact on native faunas. This is the case of the bipaliinids Bipalium kewense (Moseley, 1878), B. adventitium Hyman, 1943, the rhynchodeminids Platydemus manokwari Beauchamp, 1962, Arthurdendyus triangulatus (Dendy, 1894, Endeavouria septemlineata (Hyman, 1939) and the geoplaninid Obama nungara Carbayo et al, 2016(Dindal 1970, Ducey et al 1999, Sugiura et al 2006, Sugiura 2009, Blackshaw 1997, Zaborski 2002, Carbayo et al 2016. The food preferences of the Neotropical Obama anthropophila Amaral, Leal-Zanchet & Carbayo, 2015, have also been studied .…”