The freshwater planarian Dugesia sicula Lepori from Sardinia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida)

Fissiparous strains of freshwater triclads of the Dugesia gonocephala group were collected from 12 localities in Sardinia all situated not more than 5 kilometers from the coast. Some environmental factors and the sexual status of the specimens were noted at the time of collection. During the laborat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 1995-08, Vol.310 (2), p.151-156
Main Authors: PALA, M, VACCA, R. A, CASU, S, STOCCHINO, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
Nemathelminthia. Plathelmintha
Systematics. Geographical distribution
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Summary:Fissiparous strains of freshwater triclads of the Dugesia gonocephala group were collected from 12 localities in Sardinia all situated not more than 5 kilometers from the coast. Some environmental factors and the sexual status of the specimens were noted at the time of collection. During the laboratory rearing 30% of individuals of each strain became sexual (ex-fissiparous individuals). All the examined strains showed common karyological and morphological characteristics suggestive of the species Dugesia sicula Lepori. The chromosome complement, which was a constant 27 + 2-3 B chromosomes, was classified as aneutriploid, due to its clearly documented characteristics. The fissiparous populations of D. sicula appear to have a high degree of tolerance to variations in environmental factors, especially temperature. Within the D. gonocephala group this species has the broadest distribution in the Mediterranean region.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/BF00015533