Pimea Explained

Pimea is a genus of land planarians that currently contains a single species, Pimea monticola, from the central highlands of New Caledonia.[1]

Description

Pimea monticola is characterized by an expanded anterior end with a musculo-glandular organ in the form of an adhesive pad. The cutaneous longitudinal musculature is partially insunk into the mesenchyma and originates a retractor muscle associated to the musculo-glandular organ. The mesenchymal musculature is weak. The copulatory apparatus lacks adenodactyls and has an intra-antral penis papilla.[2]

Etymology

The genus name Pimea comes from a pre-colonial Melanesian clan, the Pime, that lived in an area close to the type-locality. The specific epithet monticola comes from Latin mons, a mountain + -cola, dweller, inhabitant, thus meaning "mountain dweller".

Notes and References

  1. Winsor . Leigh . A new genus and species of terrestrial flatworm from the central highlands of New Caledonia (Tricladida Terricola) . Memoirs du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle . 1991 . 149 . 19–30.
  2. Ogren . R. E. . Kawakatsu . M. . 1991 . Index to the species of the family Geoplanidae (Turbellaria, Tricladida, Terricola) Part II: Caenoplaninae and Pelmatoplaninae . Bulletin of Fujis Women's College . 29 . 35–58 .