Five new records and morphological data of poly clad species (Platyhelminthes: Turbellaria) from Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil

摘要

In Brazil, 66 flatworm species of the order Polycladida are known, most of which collected from the southeastern Brazilian coast. The present study includes morphological descriptions of five species from Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazilian Northeastern coast: Enchiridium evelinae, Phrikoceros mopsus, Pseudobiceros evelinae, Thysanozoon brocchii and Hop-loplana divae. These findings represent the first record of Polycladida for this region of Brazil. Also, for the first time Enchiridium evelinae, Pseudobiceros evelinae and Hoploplana divae are illustrated with color photographs of live specimens and histological details. Association with compound ascidians and encrusting bryozoan were observed and commented. Our data suggest that knowledge about Brazilian polyclads is underestimated and emphasizes the necessity of further studies to better understand the Polycladida biodiversity in Brazil.