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Type: Correspondence
Published: 2020-08-12
Page range: 197–200
Abstract views: 108
PDF downloaded: 3

The invasive land flatworm Obama nungara (Platyhelminthes: Geoplanidae) reaches a natural environment in the oceanic island of São Miguel (Açores)

Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução, Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Arlindo Bettio, 1000, São Paulo, SP, 03828-000, Brazil
Citizen scientist, retired high school teacher of Biology.
Ryan Institute and School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, University Rd., Galway, Ireland, H91 TK33.
Platyhelminthes Geoplanidae

Abstract

During an entomological sampling trip in the island of São Miguel (Açores, Portugal) on 02-11-2019 by José Rafael González-López, one specimen of the invasive flatworm Obama nungara Carbayo et al. 2016 was found under a rock (Fig. 1A). The specimen was photographed in situ and identified by its external morphology based on its large and broad leaf-like body with nearly parallel body margins, narrow and rounded anterior end, rounded posterior end, and dorsal pigmentation consisting of a light brown ground color covered with dark longitudinal and irregular stripes, and ventral surface grayish-white. Recent studies (Justine et al. 2020; Negrete et al. 2020) showed the reliability of photograph-based identification of O. nungara specimens. It is the sixth island where this species has been found (after Guernsey, Great Britain, Ireland, Corsica, and Madeira).

 

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