Geobia
| Geobia subterranea | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific 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 | |
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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]- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Turbellarian Taxonomic Database: Geobia