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 Curaçao, 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. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London.