Revision of Trigonostomum Schmidt, 1852 (Platyhelminthes, Typhloplanoida, Trigonostomidae) with the description of seven new species

Abstract

A morphological and taxonomic account of the genus Trigonostomum is provided. All known species are discussed and briefly re-described where necessary. Seven new species are described: T franki from Curacao, Florida (USA), the East African Coast and New Caledonia, T nataschae from the French sub-Antarctic island Kerguelen, T. spinigerum from New Caledonia and T watsoni from the Australian East Coast and New Caledonia. T tori and T. galapagoensis, both formerly enclosed in T setigerum, are considered new species, while T australis also belongs to the same species group. Proxenetes denhartogi is transferred to Trigonostomum. Based on a comparison of old and new material, T marki is synonymized with T penicillatum, while T prytherchi and T divae are regarded as junior synonyms of T lilliei; T intermedium and T quadrifolium are considered synonyms of T coronatum. Three species are considered species inquirendae: T brunchorsti, T piriforme and Marinellia lingulifera. Similarities and differences of the 17 valid species are discussed and summarized in an identification key. (C) 2004 The Linnean Society of London.