Cratera obsidiana explained

Cratera obsidiana is a species of land planarian belonging to the subfamily Geoplaninae.[1] It is known from specimens found in the Turvo State Park in Brazil.

Description

Cratera obsidiana is a flatworm that can reach up to 40 mm in length. The body is elongate with parallel margins; the front tip is rounded and the back tip is pointed. The dorsal side of the body is a uniform black color, while the ventral side is a light grey.[2]

Aside from its coloration, it is distinguished from other members of Cratera by having a posteriorly-shifted cylindrical pharynx and an extrabulbar prostatic vesicle with a T-shaped, dorsally oriented proximal portion.

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the volcanic rock obsidian, as the glossy black color of the species resembles that of the stone.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Cratera obsidiana Amaral, Boll & Leal-Zanchet, 2019 . 2023-07-21 . www.marinespecies.org.
  2. Boll, P. K.; Do Amaral, S. V.; Leal-Zanchet, A. M. (2019). Two new land planarian species (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Geoplanidae) from protected areas in southern Brazil. Zootaxa. 4664(4): 535-550