Winsoria is a genus of land planarian belonging to the family Geoplaninae. It is monotypic, containing the sole species Winsoria bipatria.[1] It is found in Argentina and Brazil.

Winsoria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Order: Tricladida
Family: Geoplanidae
Genus: Winsoria
Species:
W. bipatria
Binomial name
Winsoria bipatria
Negrete et al., 2020

Description

edit

The genus Winsoria is distinguished from others of family Geoplaninae by the presence of a cephalic retractor muscle and a subneural parenchymal muscle layer that extends behind the ovaries. Additionally, it is distinguished by the presence of a protrusible penis and a long ovovitelline duct.[2]

W. bipatria can reach up to 50 mm in length. On the dorsum, there is a light yellow median band flanked by two black paramedian bands, which are in turn bordered by pastel yellow lateral bands. The ventral side of the body is yellowish on the front tip and body margins, and whitish on the creeping sole. Additionally, the species lacks a glandular margin and has a cylindrical pharynx.[2]

Etymology

edit

The generic name of Winsoria was given in honor of turbellariologist Leigh Winsor, "for his immense contribution to the systematics, biogeography and functional anatomy of land flatworms". The specific epithet is derived from the Latin bi and patria, meaning "two countries", in reference to the species being found in both Argentina and Brazil.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Winsoria Negrete et al., 2020". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  2. ^ a b c Negrete, L.; Do Amaral, S. V.; Ribeiro, G. G.; Wolmann Gonçalves, J.; Valiati, V. H.; Damborenea, C.; Brusa, F.; Leal-Zanchet, A. M. (2020). Far away, so close! Integrative taxonomy reveals a new genus and species of land flatworm (Platyhelminthes: Geoplanidae) from southern South America. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 189(3): 722-744. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz131