Comparative karyotypic analysis of two land-planarian species from Brazil: Geoplana burmeisteri and Geoplana carinata (Tricladida, Terricola)

Abstract

Cytogenetic studies were conducted with samples of Geoplana burmeisteri and G. carinata from different localities of the State of Sao Paulo. The individuals of both species presented a diploid number of 2n = 2x = 14 chromosomes, all metacentric. C-banding patterns revealed differences in the amount and distribution of the constitutive heterochromatin between the two species, this thus allowing for the establishment of a species-specific pattern.