Color Pattern Similarities Revealed: Two Pseudocerotids (Polycladida: Cotylea) from the Mexican Pacific with the Description of a New Species
Coloration patterns in polyclad flatworms of the Pseudocerotidae family are crucial for taxonomic identifications, often serving as key diagnostic character. In this study, we document two pseudocerotid species from the Mexican Pacific exhibiting remarkably similar coloration patterns yet belonging...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Taxonomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6500/5/1/8 |
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| Summary: | Coloration patterns in polyclad flatworms of the Pseudocerotidae family are crucial for taxonomic identifications, often serving as key diagnostic character. In this study, we document two pseudocerotid species from the Mexican Pacific exhibiting remarkably similar coloration patterns yet belonging to distinct genera. Through detailed morphological analysis of both external and internal characters, we describe a new species, <i>Pseudobiceros deliae</i> sp. nov. Coria, Bolaños and Quiroga, and report <i>Pseudoceros josei</i> as a new record for Baja California Sur, Revillagigedo Archipelago and Guerrero. Additionally, we provide 28S ribosomal DNA sequences to support future research efforts. Our findings demonstrate that species identification cannot rely solely on distinctive coloration patterns but rather requires a combination of traits, including other external morphological characteristics such as the number of male gonopores, the type of pharynx and the shape of pseudotentacles. Furthermore, we propose that <i>Pseudoceros bicuti</i> is a junior synonym of <i>Pseudoceros josei</i>. |
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| ISSN: | 2673-6500 |