Laqueusplana, Rodríguez & Grande & Bulnes & Almon & Perez & Noreña, 2017

Rodríguez, Jorge, Grande, Cristina, Bulnes, NataliaVeronica, Almon, Bruno, Perez, Jacinto & Noreña, Carolina, 2017, Systematic revision of the family Pleioplanidae Faubel, 1983 (Polycladida, Acotylea): new genus and combinations, European Journal of Taxonomy 264, pp. 1-30 : 7

Laqueusplana gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:DFBD1007-F9CA-46D8-8A8A-9827B9045040

Figs 1–4 , 6 A–B

Type species

Laqueusplana bocki gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis

Pleioplanidae with tentacular and cerebral eye clusters; without tentacles. Male copulatory apparatus directed forward. Seminal vesicle and/or spermiducal bulbs present; penis duct forms a loop between prostatic vesicle and pharynx. Penis stylet long and pointed. Female apparatus usually with vagina bulbosa; Lang’s vesicle present.

Etymology

The name Laqueusplana refers to the term “ laqueus ”, Latin for loop. This is in reference to the loop that the stylet makes between the prostatic vesicle and the pharynx in this genus.

Other species of the genus

Pleioplana megala ( Marcus, 1952) also has a forward directed male copulatory system and shows a loop between the prostatic vesicle and the pharynx. Therefore, it must be transferred to the new genus Laqueusplana gen. nov.

Figures

Fig. 1. Species of Laqueusplana gen. nov. A. Dorsal view of a fixed specimen of Laqueusplana bocki gen. et sp. nov. B–C. Dorsal views of living specimens of L. bocki gen. et sp. nov. D. Dorsal view of a fixed specimen of L. megala (Marcus, 1952) comb. nov. E. Higher magnification view showing the eye arrangement of L. megala comb. nov.

Fig. 2. Laqueusplana bocki gen. et sp. nov. A–B. Histological sections of the reproductive system (anterior end to the left). C. Sagittal reconstruction of the reproductive system. D–E. Histological sections of the male organ.

Fig. 3. Laqueusplana bocki gen. et sp. nov. A. Transverse histological sections of the male reproductive organ. B. Transverse reconstruction of the male reproductive system.

Fig. 4. Laqueusplana megala (Marcus, 1952) comb. nov. A–B. Histological sections of the female reproductive system (anterior end to the left). C. Sagittal reconstruction of the reproductive system. D–E. Histological sections of the male reproductive system (anterior end to the left).

Fig. 6. Schematic representations comparing the copulatory apparatus. A. Laqueusplana bocki gen. et sp. nov. B. L. megala (Marcus, 1952) comb. nov. C. Melloplana ferruginea (Schmarda, 1859). D. M. japonica (Kato, 1937).