American Nearctic and Neotropical land planarian (Tricladida: Terricola) faunas

摘要

Land planarian faunas of North, Central and South America are outlined and their affinities and origins discussed. The three families Bipaliidae, Rhynchodemidae and Geoplanidae are variously present. Bipaliidae are represented primarily by Bipalium kewense, an introduced cosmopolitan species. In North America the exotic B. adventitium and B. pennsylvanicum also occur. Rhynchodemidae (Rhynchodeminae) (Rhynchodemus, Dolichoplana) are few with limited distribution, although Rhynchodemus sylvaticus occurs in North and South America, as well as Europe; Rhynchodemidae: Microplaninae: (Microplana, Diporodemus) occur in both Nearctic and Neotropical America, while Incapora (I. weyrauchi) is found only in Peru). Geoplanidae have greatest abundance and diversity in Brazil. In North America, all terrestrial flatworm species are introduced. In South America, on the other hand, the Geoplanidae: Geoplaninae are endemic with several specialized genera and show the greatest diversity. Species of Geoplana in South America are the most widespread and diverse in the world. Unusual genera of Geoplaninae found only in Brazil are: Chaeradoplana, Enterosyringa, Issoca, Geobia, Xeropoa. The monotypic genus Polycladus occurs only in Chile.