2025/08/19 by Fan Wu, Lei Wang, Ronald Sluys +4 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Marine Biology and Ecology Research #Parasite Biology and Host Interactions #Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
paper · pdf · doi:10.3897/zse.101.156742
openalex publication_date 2025/08/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/03
Two new species of the genus Dugesia from southwest China are described using an integrative approach based on morphological, histological, and molecular data. Dugesia patula Chen & Dong, sp. nov. is characterized by the following features: symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal; vasa deferentia opening symmetrically into the mid-lateral portion of the seminal vesicle; a large and pointed diaphragm; a short duct between the seminal vesicle and diaphragm; and a very broad, short ejaculatory duct with a very wide opening at the tip of the penis papilla. Dugesia postica Chen & Dong, sp. nov. , is characterized by the following features: symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal; a small penis bulb; a large and long penis papilla with a slightly larger dorsal lip and a small ventral lip; a long connecting duct between the seminal vesicle and diaphragm; a small diaphragm located near the tip of the penis papilla; and an extremely short ejaculatory duct. In the molecular phylogenetic tree, the two new species share a sister-group relationship and fall within an eastern Palearctic/Oriental clade of conspecifics. The distinct specific status of these two new species is also supported by their genetic distances. Through a multi-gene concatenated phylogenetic analysis, this study, for the first time, elucidates the evolutionary relationships among the Oriental, eastern Palearctic, and Australasian groups, enabling the development of a hypothesis on the potential dispersal routes of Dugesia into the eastern Palearctic region.