ABSTRACT Knowledge of neotropical freshwater gastrotrichs, especially in Brazil, has gained momentum in the past decades, with new species being discovered yearly, accumulating in the last 30 years more than 10% of known species worldwide. Nevertheless, there is still much to accomplish in the field, with large geographical gaps to be filled, especially in continental countries such as Brazil. In the present study, we report the partial results of an expedition that, for the first time, sampled the inland waters of Alagoas, Bahía, and Pernambuco states, Northeast Region, Brazil, and found ten species belonging to five genera of Chaetonotidae. We report the first occurrence in Brazil of Chaetonotus majestuosus Grosso & Drahg, 1984, originally described from Argentina, and the second record in Brazil of Chaetonotus dadayi Schwank, 1990, originally found in Paraguay, and the first occurrence beyond ‘terra typica’ of Heterolepidodermella jureiense Kisielewski, 1991, originally discovered in Southeastern Brazil. Furthermore, we report members of species in conformity to species originally described in European countries Chaetonotus cf. persetosus Zelinka, 1889, and Chaetonotus cf. oculifer Kisielewski, 1981, although further investigations are needed to confirm the occurrence of such widespread lineages. Finally, we list three putative undescribed species related to Lepidochaetus aff. zelinkai (Grünspan, 1908), Chaetonotus aff. hoanicus Schwank, 1990 and Chaetonotus aff. acanthocephalus Valkanov, 1937. This new survey increases the list of northeast Brazilian freshwater gastrotrichs to 13 species.

ABSTRACT The Atlantic Forest has one of the richest avifaunas in the world, with endemic, migratory and endangered taxa. However, some of the ornithological knowledge produced there has yet to be organized and published, hindering effective conservation actions. For example, a study concluded in 2005 documented 213 species for Parque das Neblinas (PN), a private reserve located in the Serra do Mar in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, but there has been no update since. We retrieved, organized, and technically evaluated ornithological data produced for PN over the last 20 years, including that from articles, online platforms, occasional lists and a systematic inventory logging 250 field hours. Data consolidation resulted in 293 bird species for PN, including 88 endemic and nine threatened with extinction. Two-hundred and fifty-seven species were recorded by different researchers and bird observers while 141 were recorded by the field inventory, which added 24 species to the total list, showing great potential for new research. The PN bird community is typical of the São Paulo plateau, with the occurrence of species from coastal lowlands as well as drier areas in the interior, and represents an important area for the conservation of Atlantic Forest birds that is also suitable for bird observation and photography.

ABSTRACT The emergence of non-native species as a threat to local biodiversity is a pressing concern that warrants immediate attention. Our study reports the first record of the non-native fish golden dorado, Salminus brasiliensis, for the Preguiças River Basin, Maranhão State, Northeastern Brazil, near the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses (PNLM). This discovery occurred when a single adult, measuring 77 cm in total length, was captured by artisanal fishers using gillnets in January 2024. This finding underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring efforts focused on the ichthyofauna of the Preguiças River Basin: the tributaries of the lower portion of the basin are located within and at the border of the PNLM area. Such monitoring initiatives are essential for comprehending the distribution range of S. brasiliensis and evaluating its potential impacts on local native freshwater species.

ABSTRACT Ephydrini comprises 118 species (plus seven nomina dubia species) that are distributed in all biogeographical regions except Antarctica. The tribe currently includes 13 genera, of which three (Calocoenia Mathis, Ephydra Fallén, Paracoenia Cresson) include subgenera. The subgenus Ephydra and three other genera (Neoephydra Mathis, Notiocoenia Mathis, Setacera Cresson) include species groups. Representatives of all these groupings (genera, subgenera, and in most cases also species groups) are included in the phylogenetic analysis and taxonomic treatment. To test the monophyly of Ephydrini and to understand phylogenetic relationships among genera, a cladistic analysis was performed using equal and implicit character weightings based on the morphology of adult males and females. Species of all 13 genera of Ephydrini from different geographical regions were included to account for morphological and phylogenetic diversity. Also included in the analysis are species of the other tribes of the subfamily Ephydrinae to provide greater perspective on the phylogenetic position of Ephydrini within the subfamily and to serve as outgroups. In our analyses, cladograms from both equal weighting and implied weighting resulted in cladograms of 261 steps in length. The tribes Ephydrini, Dagini, and Scatellini were recovered as monophyletic lineages. The tribe Dagini is the sister lineage to the node giving rise to the tribes Scatellini and Ephydrini, and the latter two tribes were recovered as sister groups. Within Ephydrini, the implied weighting cladogram provided higher resolution among terminal taxa with the same number of steps and is thus our preferred cladogram. In this cladogram, all currently valid genera, including subgenera and species groups, were recovered as monophyletic lineages. Thus, no taxonomic changes are needed at the genus-group level. In the taxonomic section, the tribe Ephydrini is characterized, as are all included genera within the tribe. In addition, keys to all genera, subgenera, and species groups are provided to facilitate their identification.

ABSTRACT Urbanization may significantly impact wild population dynamics, even in protected green spaces. From 2016 to 2018, we accessed an assemblage of freshwater turtles isolated in an urban remnant of the Atlantic Forest, southern Brazil. We captured turtles by active search, hookless fishing, and funnel trap, and we marked them individually. Using a capture-mark-recapture method, we estimated population density, and movement, including home range size and habitat selection. Home ranges were estimated using the 100% minimum convex polygon method and habitat selections through eigenanalysis. We captured 41 specimens of Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812), 35 Trachemys dorbigni (Duméril & Bibron, 1835), and 20 Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839). The invasive T. dorbigni showed the highest density (1.72 individual/ha), followed by the native P. geoffroanus (1.36 individual/ha) and the invasive T. scripta elegans (0.87 individual/ha). Home range sizes for P. geoffroanus and T. dorbigni ranged between 0.04-0.48 ha, with the latter species covering the longest distance (525.8 m). All three species showed a preference for habitats influenced by human presence (walkways). Our findings highlight the anthropic influence on the movement of the freshwater turtle assemblage and underscore the need for enhanced protection of native species and control of invasive turtles. This study provides essential baseline data for future researches and management of urban areas.

ABSTRACT Habitat loss and fragmentation is the greatest threat to global biodiversity and is especially acute in biodiversity hotspots such as the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Because the Brazilian fauna suffers from ongoing human impacts both inside and outside protected areas and their buffer zones, inventories of the faunal assemblages in these areas remain vital. Based on field surveys and the examination of museum specimens, we report on the herpetofauna of the buffer zone of Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Across nine sampling areas during 2017 and 2018, we documented 30 species of anurans, one caecilian, 18 snakes, eight lizards, and one crocodilian. This assemblage includes the first record for five species from the protected area. Our inventory offers fundamental information that can promote actions to maintain populations of these taxonomic groups and their habitats within and outside of this protected area.

ABSTRACT A taxonomic history of Geoplana, one of the most popular names for land planarians, is presented. The number of species within the genus has varied significantly since its unnoticed establishment in 1847. The number rose to 339 species in the 1980s before declining to 61 species, including 48 species incertae sedis. Eight diagnoses of Geoplana have since been proposed, resulting in the inclusion or removal of species. Accordingly, the genus underwent changes in its geographic range, expanding to encompass several continents in 1899 but ultimately being reduced to its current presence in Southeast Brazil. The genus is considered monophyletic, though it still houses 48 species incertae sedis. To better understand Geoplana, it is necessary to reassess the taxonomic status of these 48 species and describe several undescribed species. planarians presented 1847 33 s 6 4 sedis proposed Accordingly range 189 Brazil monophyletic 184 3 18 1

ABSTRACT Trace fossils preserved with fossil worm-shaped remains suggest the presence of free-living flatworms during the Ordovician at the latest and their occurrence in terrestrial environments during the Permian. The presence of hooks associated with acanthodian and placoderm fishes indicates the existence of parasitic monopisthocotyleans, with a simple life cycle, during the Devonian. The presence of eggs in shark coprolites suggests the occurrence of eucestode tapeworms, with complex life cycles, during the Permian, possibly even earlier in the Carboniferous. Fossil evidence for trematode flatworms, also with complex life cycles, is more recent, including diverse findings associated with bivalves, lizards, and coprolites of archosaurs in terrestrial environments between 126 and 76 Ma in the Cretaceous. Convincing evidence for gymnophallid trematodes in marine environments appears in the Eocene, with an earlier occurrence in Cretaceous freshwater environments. This chronological pattern of first appearance (Turbellarians > Monopisthocotylea > Cestoda > Trematoda) is surprisingly concordant with some recent molecular phylogenetic analyses. Further evidence to test these hypotheses could be obtained by conducting systematic screenings for resistant remains of platyhelminths such as hooks and eggs as well as characteristic traces such as trails or shell concretions preserved with their producers. Additional study and scrutiny are particularly needed for trace fossils attributed to free-living flatworms that are not associated with their producers. We make recommendations on how different constraints on flatworm evolution can be interpreted and used in future studies. wormshaped worm shaped freeliving free living Permian monopisthocotyleans cycle Devonian tapeworms cycles Carboniferous bivalves lizards 12 7 Eocene Turbellarians Trematoda analyses producers studies 1

ABSTRACT To date, two species of land planarians, Diversibipalium koreense (Frieb, 1923) and Microplana unilineata (Frieb, 1923), have been recorded for the Republic of Korea. Meanwhile, various morphotypes of land planarians were discovered during the terrestrial invertebrate sampling campaign conducted in 2020, predicting that many species may inhabit the country. Accordingly, we initiated an international collaborative research in 2021 to elucidate the biodiversity of land planarians in the country and to document each species. We grouped more than 70 specimens collected from 2020 to 2022 into 22 morphospecies based on their external appearance. Subsequently, we tested the morphospecies independently in a molecular phylogeny inferred from the mitochondrial COI gene. Maximum likelihood (ML) analysis suggests that the 22 morphospecies are assigned to each clade as follows: (1) Bipaliinae (15 spp.), (2) Microplaninae (6 spp.), and (3) Rhynchodeminae (1 sp.). The Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP) analysis predicted that there would be 14 species of Bipaliinae instead of 15, reducing the number of putative species to 21. As previous sampling campaigns have only covered a small portion of the Republic of Korea, the expected number of species should be much higher. We hope that this international collaboration will continue to help reveal the true richness of Korean land planarians. date Frieb, Frieb (Frieb 1923 1923, , Korea Meanwhile Accordingly 202 7 2 appearance Subsequently gene ML (ML follows 1 15 spp., spp spp. spp.) (2 6 ( 3 (3 sp.. sp sp. . sp.) ASAP (ASAP 21 higher 192 20 19

ABSTRACT Developmental plasticity of the planarians is well-illustrated by whole-body regeneration from any tissue fragments and body size scaling regulated by food intake. Here we report another form of developmental plasticity that appears to be shared by multiple planarian species. We have observed developmental defects at rates up to ~10% in batches of Schmidtea mediterranea (Benazzi, 1975) and Schmidtea polychroa (Schmidt, 1862) hatchlings. The most frequent defect is duplicated body parts which occurs in both two species, which can be corrected after amputation and regeneration, supporting that these developmental defects were not caused by genetic mutations. Taken together, our data described a new form of developmental plasticity and an interesting comparison between development and regeneration in the hatchlings of freshwater planarians, that the two processes can have different outcomes. wellillustrated well illustrated wholebody whole intake species 10 ~10 Benazzi, Benazzi (Benazzi 1975 Schmidt, Schmidt (Schmidt 1862 mutations together outcomes 1 ~1 197 186 ~ 19 18

ABSTRACT We report a complex community of ectosymbionts in the egg mass of the horsehair crab Erimacrus isenbeckii (Brandt, 1848) from Hokkaido, Japan. We examined eight individual crab pleopods containing eggs and 56 pleopods without eggs. The following ectosymbionts were found: 207 turbellarians, 22 copepods, two nematodes, two ciliates, and one nemertean. Our preliminary morphological observation and molecular phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the 28S rDNA suggested that the turbellarians would belong to the genus Ectocotyla Hyman, 1944, which was nested within Monocelidinae in a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree along with Minona Marcus, 1946, Monocelis Ehrenberg, 1831, and Pseudomonocelis Meixner, 1943, members of which commonly possess the simplex type of male copulatory bulbs. Further studies on the feeding biology of this monocelidid may lead to its possible impact on the crab egg mass community and/or the host crab’s population dynamics. This study also reveals the crustacean egg mass as a unique habitat for turbellarians. Brandt, Brandt (Brandt 1848 Hokkaido Japan 5 found 20 2 copepods nematodes ciliates nemertean S Hyman 1944 maximumlikelihood maximum likelihood Marcus 1946 Ehrenberg 1831 Meixner 1943 bulbs andor or crabs s dynamics 184 194 183 18 19 1

ABSTRACT Knowledge on the regeneration capacity of land planarians is very scarce and focused on a few species. Here we studied the regeneration capacity of 104 animals from 23 species (genera Cephaloflexa, Choeradoplana, Cratera, Geoplana, Imbira, Xerapoa, Luteostriata, Notogynaphallia, Obama, Pasipha, plus an unidentified species) of the neotropical Geoplaninae and also two species (genera Dolichoplana and Endeavouria) of Rhynchodeminae under laboratory conditions. When cut in two, 17 flatworm species regenerated head and/or tail within 5 to 27 days, apparently depending on how flattened their bodies were. Issoca rezendei (Schirch, 1929) was the geoplanin species that regenerated the fastest, while Obama species regenerated the slowest. Five species did not survive long enough to begin regeneration, while Imbira marcusi Carbayo et al., 2013, survived up to 15 days after sectioning but did not form the blastema, seemingly due to its sensitivity to laboratory conditions. The shape of the blastema varied according to the body shape of the species, as did the re-pigmentation of the newly formed tissue, which began in the early stages of regeneration in Obama species. Issoca rezendei showed some characteristics that make it a good candidate species as a model organism for further study of regeneration. In nature, geoplanins often show injuries, some of which may have been caused by predator-prey interactions. This variation in regeneration capacity raises questions such as if their regeneration capacity could also be maintained by direct selection. 10 2 genera Cephaloflexa Choeradoplana Cratera Geoplana Xerapoa Luteostriata Notogynaphallia Pasipha Endeavouria conditions 1 andor or were Schirch, Schirch (Schirch 1929 fastest slowest al al. 2013 repigmentation re pigmentation tissue nature injuries predatorprey predator prey interactions selection 192 201 19 20

ABSTRACT Geoplana multicolor Graff, 1899 was described based on the external characters of a single specimen collected in São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Posteriorly, its anatomy was described based on specimens considered conspecific collected in several nearby localities, despite differences in the color pattern. The internal anatomy of the holotype was unknown until now, making identifying G. multicolor problematic, a worrying situation considering its current status as the type species of Paraba. To perform a taxonomic revision, we analyzed the anatomy of the holotype of G. multicolor deposited at the Zoologisches Museum Hamburg and concluded that its morphology matches the current definition of Geoplana. Thus, we propose the revalidation of Geoplana multicolor Graff, 1899 stat. rev. Since the type-species of Paraba returned to Geoplana and Paraba becomes a junior synonym of Geoplana, we propose a new genus, Paraparaba gen. nov., for species previously in Paraba. Considering that the basis for the identification of G. multicolor has been the description of the anatomy of specimens sampled and studied by Marcus (1951), which correspond to a different species now included into Paraparaba, we propose a new nominal species for Geoplana multicolor sensu Marcus, Paraparaba impositrix gen. nov., sp. nov. We suggest a thorough revision of further material studied by subsequent authors, sampled in different Brazilian regions and Argentina, using Marcus’ description as the basis for identification. Graff 189 Paulo Brazil Posteriorly localities pattern G problematic Thus stat rev typespecies genus gen nov 1951, 1951 , (1951) sp authors Argentina 18 195 (1951 1 19 (195 (19 (1 (