Two new species of Carcharodorhynchus Meixner, 1938 (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela: Schizorhynchidae) from Brazil and Lanzarote

Abstract

Two new turbellarian species of the kalyptorhynch taxon Carcharodorhynchus (Rhabdocoela: Schizorhynchidae) are described. C. brasiliensis n. sp. from Brazil differs from its congeners by the fact that only the ventral lip of the slightly asymmetrical proboscis bears denticles, arranged into two rows. It is also characterized by a unique combination of features: 10-12 testes arranged in two rows rostrally from the pharynx, elongated seminal vesicles, and the copulatory organ proper being a short cirrus, the distal tip of which is surrounded by a short sclerotized hood. C. worsaae n. sp. stands unique within the genus in that the male system has a long, double-walled stylet, which drains sperm and prostate secretion. Moreover, C. worsaae n. sp. has a markedly asymmetrical proboscis, with the dentition of the largest lip consisting of up to six rows of small denticles which are smallest proximally near the juncture with the smaller lip. The shorter lip has only large teeth. C. brasiliensis n. sp. is the first species of Carcharodorhynchus to be described from Brazil and the second for South America. C. worsaae is the first species of the taxon to be described from the West African coast.