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Within Dalyelliidae Graff, 1905, Gieysztoria Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 is the most widely distributed and speciose genus, members of which live in marine, brackish, or freshwater habitats (Van Steenkiste et al., 2012). Gieysztoria is composed by ~97 free-living species (Tyler et al. 2016), and species identification is mainly made on the male copulatory system, which has an armed penis (stylet) with different configurations of spines (Noreña et al., 2016). The stylet configuration of Gieysztoria species is traditionally split into two groups: Aequales (spines of similar shape and size) and Inaequales (spines of different shape and size) (Luther, 1955). In the neotropics, specimens of Gieysztoria belong to both the Aequales and Inaequales group and are well represented (Damborenea et al., 2005; Noreña et al., 2003). According to Braccini et al. (2016, 2017), there are 16 species of Gieysztoria in Brazil, mainly distributed in the southern region. South Brazil harbours a mosaic of wetlands that are considered hot spots of biodiversity, including the Taim Ecological Station (ESEC Taim) protected area that was designated as a Ramsar site (Ramsar, 2017). In the present study, Gieysztoria falx Brusa, Damborenea & Noreña, 2003 is registered in the ESEC Taim, located in Rio Grande do Sul. It represents the first record of G. falx in Brazil. Illustrations and comments on stylet configuration are given.

Gieysztoria chiqchi Damborenea, Brusa & Nore��a, 2005 Figs 12���13A, B General morphology. Ovoid body (to 1 mm), whitish with dark spots; anterior tip truncated and posterior tip pointed (Figs 12, 13A). Mouth located antero-ventrally; pharynx barrel-shaped. Male copulatory organ with sclerotized stylet, about 170 ��m long, with a completely fibrous girdle and 10 spines of different sizes (Fig. 13B). The arrangement, number, and size of spines of the sclerotized stylet, as well as the morphology of its fibrous girdle are identical to these of the type specimens. Specimens examined. MZU 00207: coll. J.A.L. Braccini and F. Brusa, 26 March 2012, Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Capivari do Sul (30��10��22�� S, 050��23��10�� W); coll. J. A. L. Braccini and G. G. Iturralde, 27 September 2012, Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Os��rio (Wetland 2) (29��53��20�� S, 050��08��09�� W). Remarks on ecology and distribution. This species had a high abundance in the summer/autumn survey, but most of them were dead during the sample analysis, probably due to some disturbance shortly before the survey in Capivari do Sul. It showed low abundance in the summer/ autumn survey in Os��rio (Table 2). Gieysztoria chiqchi was previously recorded only for its type locality, in the department of Loreto, Peruvian Amazon (Damborenea et al. 2005). Thus, the present record is the first for Brazil and represents an increase of the known distribution of this species of about 3800 km to the southeast., Published as part of Jo��o A. L. Braccini, Francisco Brusa & Ana M. Leal-Zanchet, 2017, Six freshwater microturbellarian species (Platyhelminthes) in permanent wetlands of the Coastal Plain of southern Brazil: new records, abundance, and distribution, pp. 849-855 in Check List 13 (6) on page 854, DOI: 10.15560/13.6.849, http://zenodo.org/record/1067944, {"references":["Damborenea C, Brusa F, Norena C (2005) New species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela) from Peruvian Amazon floodplain with description of their stylet ultrastructure. Zoological Science 22: 1319 - 1329. https: // doi. org / 10.2108 / zsj. 22.1319"]}

This study describes a new species of Gieysztoria found in lentic environments in Argentina. Gieysztoria falx sp. n. appears to be closely related to G. therapaina and G. intricata, and is differentiated principally by the presence of two strongly developed pincer-shaped spines of the cuticular stylet. A preliminary analysis of the phylogeny among the South American species of this genus is undertaken, and the monophyly verified. This study constitutes the first approach to interpreting these relationships.

3.3 Gieysztoria macrovariata (Weise, 1942) New record to China (Figs 15–16) Material examined. PLA-G0090 – PLA-G0092, wetlands of Shiyan Reservoir in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China (22°40 ′ 58 ″ N, 113°53 ′ 42 ″ E) (Fig. 17), 19 June 2013, coll. Yan-Hong Lu, deposited in National Zoological Museum, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS), Beijing, China. Diagnosis. The species is similar to G. shantouensis Zhang, Li & Wang, sp. nov. Sclerotic stylet of G. macrovariata is 150 μ m in length. Ten sclerotic spines are attached to the distal end. Base of each spine is attached to a U-shaped muscular layer, and lateral spines are dagger-shaped. The spines shorten from both sides to the middle. The lateral one is 97 μ m and the middle one 66 μ m in length (Figs 15–16). Discussion. The stylet of type materials of G. macrovariata is about 102.5–139.5 μ m in length, with 10 sclerotic spines. The longest spine is up to 97 μ m and the shortest is 75 μ m in length (Weise, 1942). However, the Chinese specimens have little differences with the type. The stylet of the Chinese specimens is 133 μ m–150 μ m in total length, with 10 sclerotic spines. The longest spine is up to 97 μ m and the shortest is 66 μ m in length., Published as part of Zhang, Hang, Li, Yi-Kui, Wu, Cheng-Chen & Wang, An-Tai, 2014, Two new species of the genus Gieysztoria (Rhabdocoela: Dalyelliidae) from China, pp. 485-495 in Zoological Systematics 39 (4) on page 491, DOI: 10.11865/zs.20140402, http://zenodo.org/record/4617380, {"references":["Weise, M. 1942. Die Rhabdocoela und Alloecoela der Kurmark mit besonderer Berucksichtigung des Gebietes von Gross-Berlin. I. Sitz. - ber. Ges. naturf. Freunde, Berlin. pp. 143 - 204. f. 17 - 20."]}

Gieysztoria shiyanensis Wang & Xia, sp. nov. ( Figs 1 –9) Material examined. Holotype PLA-G00071, wetlands of Shiyan Reservoir, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (22°40′N, 113°53′E), 19 June 2013, coll. Yan-Hong Lu, saved in Bouin’s solution and stained by HE. Paratypes PLA-G0072– PLAG0075, same data as holotype. All materialswere deposited at Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS), Beijing, China. Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality of the species., Published as part of Xia, Xiao-Jie, Lu, Yan-Hong & Wang, An-Tai, 2014, A new species of Aequales, genus Gieysztoria (Rhabdocoela: Dalyelliidae) from China, pp. 229-235 in Zoological Systematics 39 (2) on page 230, DOI: 10.11865/zs20140204, http://zenodo.org/record/7176640

3.1 Gieysztoria shantouensis Zhang, Li & Wang, sp. nov. (Figs 1–8) Material examined. Holotype PLA-G0060, ditches in Chengtian, Chaonan, Shantou, Guangdong (23°10'57"N, 116°28'18"E) (Fig. 17), 21 January 2013, coll. Yi-Kui Li. saved in Bouin’s solution and stained by H.E. method. Paratypes. PLA-G0061 – PLA-G0066, same data as holotype (PLA-G0061 – PLA-G0063, the whole specimens; PLA-G0064 –PLA- G0066, isolated sclerotic stylets). All materials were deposited in National Zoological Museum, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS), Beijing, China. Description. Live individual about 1 005–1 340 μ m long, and middle part of bodies up to 280–350 μ m wide. Anterior part of body bluntly rounded, posterior part tapered. Whole body appears spindle-like. Salmon pink pigments distribute under epidermis (Fig. 1). Two reniform eyes locate at back of forebrain near pharynx, space between them about 72 μ m. Barrel-shaped pharynx 170 μ m long and 160 μ m wide. Pocket-like intestinal canal connects to pharynx, with distinct glands in junction (Figs 1–2, 5–6). Reproductive system. Hermaphrodite, with one gonopore. Female reproductive system consists of an ovary, oviducts, uterus, receptaculum seminis, vitellaria, bursa copulatrix, genital atrium and common gonopore. Strip-shaped ovary lies at back of posterior intestine. Oviducts from rear of ovary lead to uterus near rump. Branches of oviducts lead to spherical receptaculum seminis which contains serried sperms. An orange-yellow elliptic egg, with 190 μ m long and 96 μ m wide, often appears inside uterus, both ends of it slightly sharp (Fig. 3). Two vitellaria extend dorsolaterally, with 380 μ m long. Each vitellarium with numerous finger-shaped branches. Vitelloducts from left and right join together at back of intestines, then lead to uteru, and other side of it connects genital atrium. Finger-shaped bursa copulatrix comprises myofibers, and opens into genital atrium through a pore (Figs 5–6). Male reproductive system consists of testes, vas deferens, a vesicula seminalis, a vesicula granulorum, prostate tissues and a sclerotic stylet. Paired oval-shaped testes situated laterally at posterior intestine, with a vas deferens at backend of each testis extending to vesicula seminalis. Double-ball-shaped vesicula seminalis contains serried sperms, covered by a muscular layer. Behind it lies a cylindrical-shaped vesicula granulorum, which comprises eosinophilic granules inside, outside lies prostate cells. Sclerotic stylet, with total length 137 μ m, connecting to backend of vesicula granulorum, consists of a closed girdle and 7 spines. Girdle formed by sclerotic collagenous fibers, with height 44 μ m, diameter 70 μ m. Base of each spine connected to a U-shaped muscular layer. Lateral spines appear dagger-shaped, middle ones cynodontshaped. Spines differ in length, shortening from both sides to middle gradually. Outer spine 94 μ m long, and the middle 59 μ m long (Figs 4–7). Stylet of immature individual is not fully sclerotized, with some unsclerotized collagenous fibers around girdle (Fig. 8). © Zoological Systematics, 39(4): 485–495 © Zoological Systematics, 39(4): 485–495 Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality, Shantou City, Guangdong Province, China. Discussion. Sclerotic stylet is the critical taxonomic character to identify species of genus Gieysztoria. The genus Gieysztoria is divided into two groups, Aequales and Inaequales (Luther, 1955). The stylet of Aequales usually contains a proximal girdle and lateral spines which are similar in size and shape. Species of Inaequales have complicated stylets, and are divided into four subgroups: Fenestratae, Radiatae, Aberrantes, Falcatae (Luther, 1955; Damborenea et al., 2005; Van Steenkiste et al., 2012). The proximal girdle of Fenestratae has one or more pores; Radiatae does not have pores, and has actinomorphic stylet; Aberrantes has the stylet irregular (Luther, 1955; Damborenea et al., 2005). The stylet of the Falcatae is a small thick hook-like spine, which is similar to a raptor’s claw (Van Steenkiste et al., 2012). By comparing, the new species belongs to Gieysztoria, Inaequales, Aberrantes. Nine species, G. shantouensis Zhang, Li & Wang, sp. nov., G. oligocentra (Steinböck, 1948), G. papii (Young, 1977), G. pseudodiadema (Noreña-Janssen, 1995), G. shenzhensis (Wang & Wu, 2005b), G. pulchra (Wang & Deng, 2006), G. macrovariata (Weise, 1942), G. macrovariata 9-spinosa (Luther, 1955), G. octospinosa (Luther, 1955) are similar because of the number of the terminal spines of stylet. Among them, the stylet of G. oligocentra, G. papii and G. pseudodiadema have 8, 6 and 8 spines, respectively. However, G. oligocentra and G. papii belongs to Aequales, and G. pseudodiadema and the new species belong to Inaequales. The stylet of G. pseudodiadema is 60–70 μ m long, and the spines are 42 μ m long. The shape of stylet between G. pseudodiadema and the new species is significantly different. And the length of stylet of the new species is 2 times as long as G. pseudodiadema (Luther, 1955; Damborenea et al., 2005). G. shenzhensis has 8 spines within its stylet, with 4 thick and 4 flagellous spines, actinomorphic, belongs to Radiatae, a subgroup of Inaequales (Luther, 1955), which is significant different with the new species. G. pulchra, G. macrovariata and G. macrovariata 9-spinosa belong to the same subgroup with the new species (Luther, 1955). They have 13, 10 and 9 spines within their stylets, respectively, while the new species has 7 spines within its stylet. The stylet of G. octospinosa is the most similar to the new species. However, its stylet is 55 μ m in length, has 8 sclerotic spines, and spines in the middle are longer than those in the lateral. The stylet of the new species is 137 μ m long in total, has 8 spines, and spines in the middle are shorter than those in the lateral., Published as part of Zhang, Hang, Li, Yi-Kui, Wu, Cheng-Chen & Wang, An-Tai, 2014, Two new species of the genus Gieysztoria (Rhabdocoela: Dalyelliidae) from China, pp. 485-495 in Zoological Systematics 39 (4) on pages 486-488, DOI: 10.11865/zs.20140402, http://zenodo.org/record/4617380, {"references":["Luther, A. 1955. Die Dalyelliiden (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela). Eine Monographie. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87: 1 - 337.","Damborenea, C., Brusa, F. and Norena, C. 2005. New species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from Peruvian Amazon floodplain with description of their stylet ultrastructure. Zoological Science, 22: 1 319 - 1 329.","Van Steenkiste, N., Tessens, B., Willems, W., Van Mulken, E. and Artois, T. 2012. The \" Falcatae \", a new Gondwanan species group of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes: Dalyelliidae), with the description of five new species. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 251 (4): 344 - 356.","Steinbock, O. 1948. Freshwater turbellaria. In: Frioriksson, A. and Tuxen, S. L. (eds.), The Zoology of Iceland. Vol. II, part 10. America: Munksgaard Copenhagen. 40 pp.","Young, J. O. 1977. Six new species and records of two established species of Dalyelliidae (Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela) from freshwater habitats in Kenya, East Africa. Journal of Natural History, 11: 1 - 15. 11 - 12, fig. 6.","Weise, M. 1942. Die Rhabdocoela und Alloecoela der Kurmark mit besonderer Berucksichtigung des Gebietes von Gross-Berlin. I. Sitz. - ber. Ges. naturf. Freunde, Berlin. pp. 143 - 204. f. 17 - 20."]}

3.2 Gieysztoria huizhouensis Zhang, Wu & Wang, sp. nov. (Figs 9–14) Material examined. Holotype PLA-G0111, tributary of Dongjiang River, Huizhou, Guangdong Province (23°10'57"N, 116°28'18"E), the water temperature 25°C (Fig. 17), 20 July 2014, coll. Hang Zhang. Overall sheeting, H. E. method stained. Paratypes. PLA-G0112 – PLA-G0117, the same data as holotype (PLA-G0112 – PLA-G0113, mounting specimens; PLA-G0114 – PLA-G0117, separated sclerotic mating spines). All the types were deposited in National Zoological Museum, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS), Beijing, China. Description. Mature individual about 1 000–1 100 μ m in length, and middle part of body up to 220–280 μ m in width. Animal has typical body characteristics of Dalyelliidae. Whole body appears a flat-oval shape, with blunt head, cylindrical-shaped middle part of body, and V-shaped tapering tail epidermis densely covered with ciliums. Dorsally, brown irregular-oval stripes longitudinally distributed from back of its eyes to front area of eggs, with light-colored stripes on pharynx (Fig. 9). Pair of eyes located in anterior end, oval-shaped eyespots formed by many melanin balls. Distance between eyes about 58 μ m. Cerebral ganglions distribute under eyes. Barrel-shaped pharynx behind eyes looks 234 μ m × 184 μ m, accounting for 1/5 of whole body length. Posterior end of pharynx joints a pocket-shaped intestinal canal, no anus present, with distinct pharyngeal glands in junction (Figs 9–11). Reproductive system. Hermaphrodite, with a gonopore. Female reproductive system consists of ovary, oviduct, uterus, seminal receptacle, vitellaria, bursa copulatrix, genital atrium and gonopore. Irregular-oval-shaped ovary lies in posterior end of intestine dorsally, which ends to a short oviduct, linking seminal receptacle and uterus. Seminal receptacle filled with spherical-shaped sperms. Within uterus usually exists a oval egg (149 μ m×100 μ m) appearing brownish red when mature (Fig. 9). Two rodlike vitellaria, 466 μ m in length locate in bilateral sides of intestinal canals. Vitelline ducts from left and right side join and convert together, then extending to uterus. Other end of uterus connected to genital atrium. Utricle-shaped bursa copulatrix, formed by musclar tissues, opens holes from genital atrium (Figs 11–12). Male reproductive system consists of testes, vas deferens, a vesicula seminalis, a vesicula granulorum, prostate tissue and a sclerotic stylet. Pair of oval-shaped testes lie in ventral side at posterior end of intestinal canal. Vas deferens exists at each end of testis, then flows into vesicuta seminalis. Vesicuta seminalis filled with sperms and covered with thick circular muscles. Vesicula granulorum located between vas deferens and sclerotic stylet, which comprises eosinophilic granules inside, outside lies prostate cells. (Figs 11–12). Sclerotic stylet appears typical Falcatae characteristics with 88 μ m long. Two fiber sclerotic stalks at front end about 15 μ m and 28 μ m. Base of stylet connected through stylet cross-connection, forming irregular H-shape. Cross-connection (27 μ m long, 12 μ m wide) stretches backwards along with 2 stalks, which form 6 abnormal spines namely s1, s2, s3, s6, s7 and s8. Outspread parts of cross-connection and short stalk posterior form.infundibulate-shaped S1, with 35 μ m in length, wide base and tapering distal end. Short stalk posterior stretches out s2 and s8. Length of s2 about 65 μ m. Half of part, close to the base, relatively thick, with an oval musclar layer, distal end in canine shape. S8 about 58 μ m, saber-shaped, with tip bended slightly. Outspread part of the long stalk posterior forms s3, s6 and s7. Length of s3 about 60 μ m, with strip-shaped base 10 μ m. Half of near end present a musclar layer. Daggershaped far end slightly bended. Inner edge of long stalk extends oval-plate-shaped s6, which stretches out 8 super thin flake-like spines towards the middle part. Each spine looks like a spoon and posterior edge of it has thin serrate spines. Stretching out from inner side of base of long stalk, s7 locates between s1 and s6, about 36 μ m (Figs 13–14). Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality, Huizhou City, Guangdong Province, China. Discussion. The new species should belong to Gieysztoria, Inaequales, Falcatae. For the subgroup Falcatae, ten species have been recorded: G. kolasai, G. saganae, G. ashokae, G. zuluensis, G. garudae, G. thienemanni, G. okugawai, G. stokesi, G. wuyishanensis and G. ramayana (Reisinger, 1933; Ruebush & Hayes, 1939; Young, 1977; Van Steenkiste et al., 2012; Lai et al., 2013). Among these species, G. kolasai and G. saganae have original sclerotic stylet. G. ashokae and G. zuluensis have only one stylet stalk. G. garudae has stylet with obvious sawtooth on coarse spines of s3 and the surface edges of s4. G. thienemanni has s 6 in a strip-type shape. G. okugawai has 5 coarse spines, s2 fine S-shape, and s6 with 11 small spines. G. stokesi and G. wuyishanensis, which are very similar to the new species, have discoid spines and hook spines. However, G. stokesi has s7 and s8 absent and G. wuyishanensis has s8 absent. The bending angle of s 2 in both species is significantly hook-like and the discoid spine is smooth. © Zoological Systematics, 39(4): 485–495 © Zoological Systematics, 39(4): 485–495 In G. huizhouensis Zhang, Wu & Wang, sp. nov., s2 is slightly blended and sawtooth serrations lie at its posterior of discoid spine. These are significant different from other species. The sclerotic stylet of G. ramayana is the most similar to the new species. Its full length of sclerotic stylet is 85 μ m, and the far end has 5 coarse spines, namely s1, s2, s3, s6 and s8. While in G. huizhouensis sp. nov., the full length of the stylet is 88 μ m, and 6 coarse spines are present, namely s1, s2, s3, s6, s7 and s8., Published as part of Zhang, Hang, Li, Yi-Kui, Wu, Cheng-Chen & Wang, An-Tai, 2014, Two new species of the genus Gieysztoria (Rhabdocoela: Dalyelliidae) from China, pp. 485-495 in Zoological Systematics 39 (4) on pages 489-491, DOI: 10.11865/zs.20140402, http://zenodo.org/record/4617380, {"references":["Reisinger, E. 1933. Turbellaria der deutschen limnologischen Sunda - expedition. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, Supplement Tropische Binnengewasser, 12: 239 - 262.","Young, J. O. 1977. Six new species and records of two established species of Dalyelliidae (Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela) from freshwater habitats in Kenya, East Africa. Journal of Natural History, 11: 1 - 15. 11 - 12, fig. 6.","Van Steenkiste, N., Tessens, B., Willems, W., Van Mulken, E. and Artois, T. 2012. The \" Falcatae \", a new Gondwanan species group of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes: Dalyelliidae), with the description of five new species. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 251 (4): 344 - 356."]}

Gieysztoria bimaculata n. sp. Wang,Lu & Wu (Figs. 1���2) Localities. 1) Constructed wetland system (pH= 6.78, 27.5?) in artificial lake in Shenzhen University campus, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China (22 �� 31 ' 44 "N, 113 �� 55 ' 52 "E). 2) Landscape ponds in Shenzhen Garden Expo Park, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China (22 �� 32 ' 25 "N, 113 �� 59 ' 47 "E). 3) Fairy lake in Seven Star Crags, Zhaoqing, Guangdong province, China (23 �� 4 ' 33 "N, 112 �� 28 ' 43 "E). Material. Holotype (PLA���G0005): permanent slides of specimen strained by H.E. Method. Paratype (PLA��� G0006��� 10): PLA���G0006��� 8: permanent slides of specimens strained by H.E. Method. PLA���G0009��� 10: permanent slides of stylet in polyvinyl-lactophenol. Etymology. The species has two clavate pigmentations dorsally between pharynx and intestine. Description. Living adults are 1315���1367 ��m long and approximately 290 ��m wide. Animals, conspicuously, have two clavate pigmentations dorsally between pharynx (ph) and intestine (i) (Fig. 1 A; Fig. 2 B). With 6 ��m long cilia densely covering the whole body, animals have a blunt anterior end and a tapering posterior end. Sensory cilia, 17 ��m average length, are also distributed over the body but especially rich on the dorsal side. Pair of eyes (ey) are in kidney-shaped and present on the dorsal anterior end; each eye spot consists of a collection of pigment spheres (Fig. 2 B). Oral pore lies antero-ventrally. At 1 / 5 of the body length, barrel-shaped pharynx (ph) is 323 ��m long and 243 ��m wide, with oesophageal glands (og) at the posterior end of the pharynx (ph) (Figs. 1 A & C). Female reproductive system comprising a thick rod-like ovary (ov), which is 245 ��m long and 43.5 ��m wide, lies at the left side of the body and dorsal to the posterior end of the intestine (i) (Fig. 1 B). Immature oocytes arranged in piles at the anterior portion of the ovary (ov) and enlarge gradually to the distal part (Figs. 1 B���D; Fig. 2 A). Ovary (ov) ends into a short oviduct tightly associated to a separate seminal receptacle (rs) and later connects to the uterus by a variable female duct (fd). Seminal receptacle (rs), diameter 96 ��m, is filled with allo-sperms (Fig. 2 A). Uterus with thick walls, connects to the genital atrium. Irregular-oval-shaped eggs (e) are approximately 182 ��m in length and 81 ��m in width (Figs. 1 A & B). Vitellaria (vi), about 525 ��m long, start from both side at the trailing edge of the pharynx (ph), end dorsally at the end of intestine (i), and enter into a common female duct (fd). The vitellaria (vi) have numerous finger-like branches; each branch is 115 ��m in average length (Fig. 1 C; Fig. 2 A). Gonopore lies ventro-caudally. Male reproductive system consists of two oval testes (t) (Figs. 1 C���D; Fig. 2 A), 118 ��m long and 83 ��m wide, located under both ventro-caudal side of the intestine (i). Vasa deferentia (3 ��m wide) start from the middle of each testis (t) and project into a double-bulb shape seminal vesicula (vs) subapically (72 ��m diameter of each) (Fig. 2 A). The seminal vesicle (vs) connects with the distal columnar prostate vesicle (pv) (84 ��m in height and diameter 92 ��m), which is tightly associated to the sclerotic stylet (st) (Figs. 1 E���F; Fig. 2 C). The sclerotic stylet (st) (Figs. 1 E���F; Fig. 2 C) comprises two distinct portions: a belt-like girdle and numerous distal spines in similar shape and size. The maximum length of the stylet (st) is 95 ��m with a maximum girdle height of 44.9 ��m. The girdle, with a maximum circumference ca. 250 ��m, curves into a crescent shape. Countless hollow concaves, considered as muscular attachment points, are present in every single separated stylet (st) (Figs. 1 E���F; Fig. 2 C). Distally, dagger-shaped spines arise from the proximal girdle. The number of spines ranges from 40 to 46. The first two spines on both side of the girdle are 46 �� 2.9 ��m (n= 17) in average and the rest are 55 �� 3.4 ��m (n= 140) (Fig. 2 C).Spines are 5-6 ��m embedded in the proximal girdle, arising as hollow and straight. Spines (ca. 1 ��m thick wall) widen to 10 ��m around the mid-point and then form a point at the end. Remarks. The stylet morphology firmly suggests that G. bimaculata n. sp. is a typical ���Aequales��� species of Gieysztoria. Based mainly on stylet morphology and configuration, G. bimaculata n. sp. can be compared to the following six species: Gieysztoria expedita (Hofsten 1907), G. bicoronaria (Fulinski & Szynal 1933) and G. expeditoides (Luther 1955) from Europe; G. bergi (Beklemischev 1927) in Asia; G. superba (Hartenstein & Dwine 2000) and G. queenslandica (Hochberg & Cannon 2001) in Australia. G. superba is the species with the most similar stylet to G. bimaculata n. sp..This two species differ in size, pigmentation pattern and the structure of the male copulatory organ (see Table 1). G. superba is a small species which is 550 ��m long and 200 ��m wide with posterior red pigment bands and scattered brown pigment spots covering the head and trunk. G. bimaculata n. sp. is a larger one which is 1350 ��m long and 290 ��m wide with scattered brown spots covering from posterior end of the pharynx to the tapering end of the body. Furthermore, conspicuously, G. bimaculata n. sp., present two dark brown clavate pigmentation both ventrally and dorsally between pharynx and intestine. However, the main taxonomic character is the structure of the sclerotic stylet(Luther 1955). The girdle of G. superba is 20 ��m of height and the one of G. bimaculata n. sp. is much higher as 35 ��m in average, additionally, 45 ��m at maximum. The circumference of the girdle of G. superba is ca. 100 ��m and the one of the new species is ca. 250 ��m. The number of distal spines of G. superba is ca. 40 comparing to 44 ~ 46 spines of the new species. The shape and length of the spines of both species are different. The spines of G. superba are straight and fine which are equal length and approx. 43 ��m long. Nevertheless, spines of G. bimaculata n. sp. are dagger-shaped with fine tips slightly bent. It is worth mentioning that the first spine (46 �� 2.9 ��m) on both side girdle are ca. 10 ��m shorter than the spines (55 �� 3.4 ��m) in the middle. As for G. queenslandica, the Australian species has a stylet with 11 ��m girdle and 27���32 distal spines. G. queenslandica with spines which are ca. 7 ��m less than the spines of the new species, shows additional differences in girdle height as well as the number and length of spines. G. expedita and G. expeditoides have a small stylet less than 40 ��m in length and 20���24 spines. G. b e rgi has a 107 ��m stylet and 24 distal spines. G. bicoronaria has a stylet with 31 fine spines. Within the ���Aequales��� group, G. bimaculata n. sp. has the maximum number of spines (44���46) and girdle circumference (250 ��m)., Published as part of Lu, Yan-Hong, Wu, Cheng-Chen, Xia, Xiao-Jie & Wang, An-Tai, 2013, Two new species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela, Dalyelliidae) from a Freshwater Artificial Lake in Shenzhen, China, pp. 569-578 in Zootaxa 3745 (5) on pages 570-571, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3745.5.5, http://zenodo.org/record/223224

Gieysztoria guangdongensis n. sp. Wang & Xia (Figs. 3���4) Locality. Constructed wetland system (pH= 6.78, 27.5?) in an artificial lake in Shenzhen University campus, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China (22 �� 31 ' 44 "N, 113 �� 55 ' 52 "E). Material. Holotype (PLA���G0021) permanent slides of specimen strained by H.E. Method. Paratype (PLA��� G0022���PLA0025). PLA���G0022��� 24: permanent slides of specimens strained by H.E. Method. PLA���G0025: permanent slides of stylet in polyvinyl-lactophenol. Etymology. The species was discovered in Guangdong province, China. Description. Animals are up to 1140���1160 ��m long and 275 ��m wide, with a truncated head and tapering posterior region (Fig. 3 A). Dorsally, eyes (e) are situated at the blunt front end above the brain (br). Pharynx (ph), 1 / 4 of the entire body length long, is 284 ��m in length and 220 ��m in width in a barrel-shape tightly connecting to the intestine (i) (Fig. 3 A). The female reproductive system comprises a rod-shaped ovary (ov), 624 ��m in length and 169 ��m in width, located dorsally on the left side of the body and posterior end of the intestine (Fig. 3 D). Compactly, the ovary (ov) continues into a muscular oviduct (od) and distally connects to a separate seminal receptacle (rs) filled with allosperms. Entering a variable-shaped female duct (fd), the oviduct (od) and the seminal receptacle (rs) associate to the uterus (Fig. 3 D & E). The uterus consists of thick muscular walls, with an opening entering the genital atrium. Oval eggs (e) are 163 ��m long and 85 ��m wide. Two feather-like vitellaria (vi), 303 ��m long, begin in the region of the posterior end of the pharynx (ph) and lead to the ovary (ov). Entering into a common female duct (fd), vitellaria (vi) have numerous finger-like papillae (110 ��m long) (Fig. 3 D). Gonopore lies ventro-caudally and can be closed by the strong sphincter. The male reproductive system comprises a pair of oval testes (t) (Fig. 3 F), 41 ��m in length and 21 ��m in width, located under both ventro-caudal sides of the intestine (i). Vasa deferentia arise from the middle of each testis and enters into a double-bulb shaped seminal vesicle (vs) subapically (98 ��m in length and 60 ��m in width). Seminal vesicle (vs) (Fig. 3 F) connects to the columnar prostate vesicle (pv) (71 ��m in height and diameter 71 ��m), then becomes tightly associates to the sclerotic stylet (st) (Figs. 3 B 1, B 2, B 3 & C; Fig. 4). The stylet (st) (Figs. 3 B 1, B 2, B 3 & C; Fig. 4) is formed by a proximal belt-like girdle and 18 distal spines in similar shape and size. The total length of the stylet (st) is 61 ��m. With a circumference ca. 117 ��m, the proximal girdle is 23 ��m high, and curves into a crescent shape. The 18 distal blade-shaped spines, each 42 ��m long, are hollow and fine with a ca. 1 ��m thick wall. Spines are 5 ��m (n= 6) wide tubes in the middle portion and taper rapidly at both ends. Remarks. Due to the paucity of available specimens, the description of G. guangdongensis n. sp. is based mainly on the sclerotic stylet construction. G. guangdongensis n. sp. has a sclerotic stylet with 18 distal spines. The construction of sclerotic stylet firmly shows that G. guangdongensis n. sp. is an ���Aequales��� species of Gieysztoria. Based mainly on the stylet morphology and configuration, G. guangdongensis n. sp. can be compared to the following species: G. bellis (Marcus, 1946); G. foreli (Hofsten 1911); G. lugubris (Reisinger 1924); G. lugubris wigrensis (Gieysztor 1938); G. ornata (Hofsten 1907); and G. oryzae (Nasonov 1929). The species above have a sclerotic stylet with ca. 18 distal spines (see Table 2). G. oryzae is the species most similar to G. guangdongensis n. sp. The sclerotic stylet of G. oryzae comprises a 14 ��m fibrous girdle and 18 ~ 19 distal spines which are 20 ��m long. The spines of G. oryzae are dagger-shaped, with distinct ���U��� shaped muscle attachment concave at the basal portion. Nevertheless, the sclerotic stylet of G. guangdongensis n. sp. comprises a 23 ��m fibrous girdle and 18 distal spines that are 42 ��m long. The spines of the new species are blade-shaped and straight with fine tips. Thus, the new species differs from G. oryzae by the girdle height and spine configuration. G. italica has a stylet (39 ��m total length) with 18 straight spines that are 21 ��m long. Although the girdle height is similar, the length of the distal spines is different from the new species. G. foreli has a prominent concave girdle and dagger-shaped spines, much shorter than the new species, which are 22.5 ��m long. G. lugubris and G. lugubris wigrensis have a small stylet with extremely short girdle (5 ��m) and straight spines (16 ��m) tapering rapidly. The girdle construction of G. ornate is a complex hollow portion distinct from the fibrous girdle of the new species. Furthermore, spines of G. ornata are much shorter than G. guangdongensis n. sp. (spines are 42 ��m long). G. bellis, with 19 spines (16 ��m) that are obconical in the pointed end, shows less similarity to the new species either in shape and length. Discussion. The two new species described in this study belong to the ���Aequales��� group according to Luther���s criteria (1955), and they are also represent the first discovery of ���Aequales��� species in China. As for biogeography, the location of the collecting spot is in the Oriental realm. The sclerotic stylets of ���Aequales��� species always have a proximal girdle bearing distal spines in similar shape and size (Luther 1955; Van Steenkiste et al. 2012). The morphology of the sclerotic stylet is the main basis of species classification (Luther 1955). In this study, G. bimaculata n. sp. was collected from 3 locations and bred in laboratory conditions. More than 100 stylets were dissected out of the fixed specimens and noted for variation in both size and number of distal spines. The total number of distal spines and their individual lengths do not appear to increase during the maturation of the animal. The height of the belt-like girdle remarkably increases along with the animal���s development (21���45 ��m; 35 �� 5.2 ��m; n= 13). As reported previously, descriptions of the reproductive system of Gieysztoria are mainly focused on mature adults (Hochberg & Cannon 2001; Van Steenkiste et al. 2011; Van Steenkiste et al. 2012). In this study, careful observation was conducted during the maturation of G. bimaculata n. sp. Based on our observation, the female reproductive system develops prior to the male reproductive system, i.e., protogyny. With a soft and weak stylet, i.e., not fully sclerotized, and the lack of the ability to copulate, young individuals begin to lay eggs 4 d after incubation. The stylet becomes comparatively more sclerotic approximately 14 d into the lifecycle and adults are able to copulate. Besides, the stylet sclerotizes gradually, and then becomes friable in the old specimen. Detailed research on the maturation of the sclerotic stylet in Microdalyellia (Microdalyellia and Gieysztoria belong to Dalyelliidae) was performed in 2008 (Yu et al. 2008). The study shows that shape and size of the distal branches of the stylet are stable, but the proximal shafts expand during maturation (Yu et al. 2008). The above results are in accordance with the observations in our study. The number of distal spines of G. bimaculata n. sp. is relatively stable at 44���46 spines/individual, while the proximal girdle continues growing during its life cycle. G. guangdongensis n. sp. has 18 distal blade-shaped spines. Therefore, this study suggests that the number and size of the distal spines are stable, but the height of the proximal girdle is variable. Nevertheless, in the description of some species, the number of the distal spines is more variable, such as in the stylet of G. expedita (Hofsten 1907) with 19���24 distal spines and G. expeditoides (Luther 1955) with 20���24 distal spines. Consequently, further detailed research should be conducted to improve the ���Aequales��� species classification. Acknowledgements This study was supported by University Student Innovation Project of Guangdong Province, China (Grant No. 1059013016), Opening Fund of Laboratory of Shenzhen University (Grant No. 2012720), Scientific and Technological Planning Project of Shenzhen, China (Grant No. CXB 201104210005 A) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41176106)., Published as part of Lu, Yan-Hong, Wu, Cheng-Chen, Xia, Xiao-Jie & Wang, An-Tai, 2013, Two new species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela, Dalyelliidae) from a Freshwater Artificial Lake in Shenzhen, China, pp. 569-578 in Zootaxa 3745 (5) on pages 573-577, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3745.5.5, http://zenodo.org/record/223224

Gieysztoria namuncurai Damborenea, Brusa & Noreña, 2007 Type locality. Argentina, Buenos Aires Province, near Azul City, artificial pond (36 ° 27 ʹS, 59 ° 33 ʹW). Holotype: MLP 5644 (whole mounted specimen). Paratypes: MLP 5645, MLP 5646 (seven sagittally sectioned specimens). Reference. Damborenea et al. (2007)., Published as part of Lunaschi, Lia I., Álvarez, Victor Hugo Merlo & Damborenea, Cristina, 2012, Type material housed in the Helminthological Collection of the Museo de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, pp. 1-59 in Zootaxa 3199 on page 37, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.208967, {"references":["Damborenea, M. C., Brusa, F. & Norena, C. (2007) New Dalyelliidae (Platyhelminthes, Rhabditophora) from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, and their stylet ultrastructure. Zoological Science, 24, 803 - 810."]}

Gieysztoria atalaya Brusa, Damborenea & Noreña, 2008 Type locality. Argentina, Buenos Aires Province, Atalaya (35 º00ʹ 53 ʹ S, 57 º 32 ʹ3.3ʹ W). Holotype: MLP 5420 (whole–mounted specimen). Paratypes: one specimen MLP 5421 (in toto mounted), MLP 5340 and MLP 5341 (4 specimens sagittally cut). Reference. Brusa et al. (2008)., Published as part of Lunaschi, Lia I., Álvarez, Victor Hugo Merlo & Damborenea, Cristina, 2012, Type material housed in the Helminthological Collection of the Museo de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, pp. 1-59 in Zootaxa 3199 on page 36, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.208967, {"references":["Brusa, F., Damborenea, M. C. & Norena, C. (2008) \" Dalyellioida \" (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from the Rio de la Plata estuary in Argentina, with the description of two new species of Gieysztoria. Zootaxa, 1861, 1 - 16."]}

Gieysztoria matilde Brusa, Damborenea & Noreña, 2008 Type locality. Argentina, Buenos Aires Province, Punta Piedras, Arroyo La Matilde (35 º 21´S, 57 º 10´W). Holotype: MLP 5345 (whole mounted specimen). Reference. Brusa et al. (2008)., Published as part of Lunaschi, Lia I., Álvarez, Victor Hugo Merlo & Damborenea, Cristina, 2012, Type material housed in the Helminthological Collection of the Museo de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, pp. 1-59 in Zootaxa 3199 on page 37, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.208967, {"references":["Brusa, F., Damborenea, M. C. & Norena, C. (2008) \" Dalyellioida \" (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from the Rio de la Plata estuary in Argentina, with the description of two new species of Gieysztoria. Zootaxa, 1861, 1 - 16."]}

Gieysztoria chiqchi Damborenea, Brusa & Noreña, 2005 Type locality. Perú, Loreto, Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve, “Cocha” Yarina: lagoon connected with the “caño” Yarina (5 º 24 ʹ 42 ʹ S, 74 º 30 ʹ 23 ʹ W). Holotype: MLP 5436 (whole mounted specimen). Paratypes: MLP 5437 (2 whole–mounted specimens), MLP 5438 (4 sagitally sectioned specimens). Reference. Damborenea et al. (2005)., Published as part of Lunaschi, Lia I., Álvarez, Victor Hugo Merlo & Damborenea, Cristina, 2012, Type material housed in the Helminthological Collection of the Museo de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, pp. 1-59 in Zootaxa 3199 on pages 36-37, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.208967, {"references":["Damborenea, M. C., Brusa, F. & Norena, C. (2005) New Species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from Peruvian Amazon Floodplain with Description of their Stylet Ultrastructure. Zoological Science, 22, 1319 - 1329."]}

Gieysztoria kasasapa Damborenea, Brusa & Noreña, 2005 Type locality. Perú, Loreto, Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve, Pacaya River (5 º 16 ʹ 28 ʹ S, 74 º 29 ʹ 55 ʹ W). Holotype: MLP 5431 (whole–mounted specimen). Paratypes: MLP 5432 (2 whole–mounted specimens), MLP 5433 (2 sagitally sectioned specimens), MLP 5434 (1 whole–mounted specimen). Reference. Damborenea et al. (2005)., Published as part of Lunaschi, Lia I., Álvarez, Victor Hugo Merlo & Damborenea, Cristina, 2012, Type material housed in the Helminthological Collection of the Museo de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, pp. 1-59 in Zootaxa 3199 on page 37, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.208967, {"references":["Damborenea, M. C., Brusa, F. & Norena, C. (2005) New Species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from Peruvian Amazon Floodplain with Description of their Stylet Ultrastructure. Zoological Science, 22, 1319 - 1329."]}

Gieysztoria falx Brusa, Damborenea & Noreña, 2003. Type locality. Argentina, Buenos Aires Province, Berisso, Canteras Los Talas (34 º 53 ʹS, 57 º 50 ʹW). Syntypes: MLP 4928 (7 specimens: 3 sagitally sectioned specimens, 4 whole mounted). Reference. Brusa et al. (2003)., Published as part of Lunaschi, Lia I., Álvarez, Victor Hugo Merlo & Damborenea, Cristina, 2012, Type material housed in the Helminthological Collection of the Museo de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, pp. 1-59 in Zootaxa 3199 on page 37, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.208967, {"references":["Brusa, F., Damborenea, M. C. & Norena, C. (2003) A new species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from Argentina and a kinship analysis of South American species of the genus. Zoologica Scripta, 32, 449 - 457."]}

Gieysztoria sasa Damborenea, Brusa & Noreña, 2005 Type locality. Perú, Loreto, Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve, “Cocha” Yarina, lagoon connected with the “caño” Yarina (5 º 24 ʹ 42 ʹ S, 74 º 30 ʹ 23 ʹ W). Holotype: MLP 5426 (whole mounted specimen). Paratypes: MLP 5427 (1 sagitally sectioned specimen), MLP 5428 (1 sagitally sectioned specimen). Reference. Damborenea et al. (2005)., Published as part of Lunaschi, Lia I., Álvarez, Victor Hugo Merlo & Damborenea, Cristina, 2012, Type material housed in the Helminthological Collection of the Museo de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, pp. 1-59 in Zootaxa 3199 on page 37, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.208967, {"references":["Damborenea, M. C., Brusa, F. & Norena, C. (2005) New Species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from Peruvian Amazon Floodplain with Description of their Stylet Ultrastructure. Zoological Science, 22, 1319 - 1329."]}

Gieysztoria beltrani (Gieysztor, 1931) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 (Fig. 8 D) syn. Dalyellia beltrani Gieysztor, 1931 syn. Microdalyellia beltrani Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 New localities in Spain. Do��ana National Park, Provincia de Huelva, Spain (36 �� 49 ��� 27 ���N, 6 �� 21 ��� 40 ���W). Llanos del Taraje near Ecomuseo Robledo de la Plancha: muddy temporal pond with Ranunculus aquatilis and sedges (25 /03/ 2008). Do��ana National Park, Provincia de Huelva, Spain (37 ��04��� 23 ���N, 6 �� 22 ��� 28 ���W). Laguna de la FAO: permanent water body with submersed vegetation (05/04/ 2008). Do��ana National Park, Provincia de Huelva, Spain (36 �� 58 ��� 50 ���N, 6 �� 29 ��� 11 ���W). Laguna Dulce: swamp vegetation on the northern edge and floating algae and submersed vegetation on the border of the marsh and open water (06/04/ 2008). Do��ana National Park, Provincia de Huelva, Spain (36 �� 59 ���26.53���N, 6 �� 26 ���32.16���W). Marsh with Ranunculus aquatilis, Calla palustris and sedges near El Palacio (06/04/ 2008). Other localities in Spain. Central areas (Sierra de Guadarrama and river Tajo basin, see Gamo & Nore��a- Janssen 1998); Navaescurial (Provincia de Avila, Castilla y Le��n) (Gamo & Mayor 1987), La Albufera and el Jard��n bot��nico de Valencia (Provincia de Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana) (Gieysztor 1931). New locality outside Spain. D��partement du Var, Provence-Alpes-C��te d���Azur, France. Dry mud from a temporal pond provided by Dr. Alain Thi��ry (09/ 2007) and hatched at Hasselt University (Belgium) (10 / 2007) Material. Observations on live animals and several whole mounts from Andalusia. Studies on live specimens and three whole mounts from France. Remarks. The animals from Andalusia are between 0.9 and 1.1 mm. The stylet is 119���134 ��m long and consists of two parts of equal length: a proximal girdle with a fenestra and a distal part with spines (���Fenestratae��� subgroup, ���Inaequales��� group of the Gieysztoria- type in Luther 1955, see also Discussion of G. iberica n. sp.), which corresponds completely with the stylet from Gieysztoria beltrani (Gieysztor, 1931) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939, as described by Gieysztor (1931) and Luther (1955). This species has only been found in some localities in eastern and central Spain (Gieysztor 1931; Gamo & Mayor 1987; Gamo & Nore��a-Janssen 1998). The animals from eastern Spain measured 0.9���1.4 mm, while the French animals attained a length of 1 ���1.3 mm. The stylet length of the specimens from Andalusia also falls within the range of other observations from this species (southern France: 125���139 ��m; eastern Spain: 100���125 ��m; central Spain: 130 ��m) (see Gieysztor 1931; Gamo & Mayor 1987; own observations). Since records from other parts of Europe are lacking, G. beltrani seems to be preliminarily confined to permanent and temporal freshwater bodies of the Western Mediterranean region., Published as part of Steenkiste, Niels Van, Tessens, Bart, Krznaric, Kathleen & Artois, Tom, 2011, Dalytyphloplanida (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela) from Andalusia, Spain, with the description of four new species, pp. 1-29 in Zootaxa 2791 on pages 22-23, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.201106, {"references":["Gieysztor, M. (1931) Contribution a la connaissance des Turbellaries Rhabdoceles (Turbellaria Rhabdocoela) d'Espagne. Bulletin de l'Academie Polonaise des Sciences et des Lettres, Classe des Sciences Mathematiques et Naturelles. Serie B: Sciences Naturelles (II), 1931, 125 - 153.","Ruebush, T. K. & Hayes, W. J. (1939) The genus Dalyellia in America II. A new form from Tennessee and a discussion of the relationships within the genus. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 128, 136 - 152.","Gamo, J. & Mayor, I. (1987) Microturbelarios nuevos para la fauna iberica. VIII Bienal de la Real Sociedad Espanola de Historia Natural, Actas 23, Pamplona, 23 - 28.","Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela). Eine Monographie. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 1 - 337.","Gamo, J. & Norena-Janssen, C. (1998) Old and new records of turbellarians from the central areas of Spain. Hydrobiologia, 383, 299 - 305."]}

Gieysztoria choctaw n. sp. Van Steenkiste, Gobert & Artois (Figs. 3���4), Published as part of Steenkiste, Niels Van, Gobert, Stefan, Davison, Paul, Kolasa, Jurek & Artois, Tom, 2011, Freshwater Dalyelliidae from the Nearctic (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela): new taxa and records from Ontario, Canada and Michigan and Alabama, USA, pp. 1-32 in Zootaxa 3091 on page 10, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.207604

Gieysztoria rubra (Fuhrmann, 1894) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 (Figs. 6 A���C) syn. Vo rt e x r u be r Fuhrmann, 1894 syn. Dalyellia rubra (Fuhrmann, 1894) Graff, 1904 syn. Microdalyellia rubra (Fuhrmann, 1894) Gieysztor, 1939 syn. Microdalyellia (Gieysztoria) rubra (Fuhrmann, 1894) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 syn. Microdalyellia (Gieysztoria) ornata (Hofsten, 1907) Marcus, 1946 (uncertain) New locality. Blackwell Run, Madison County, Alabama, USA (34 �� 33 ��� 51 ���N, 86 �� 46 ��� 43 ���W). Swamp with Ceratophyllum demersum and Utricularia macrorhiza (23 /05/ 2009). Known distribution. Widespread throughout the Western Palearctic: many localities in Europe, Western Russia, Siberia (see Luther 1955 for localities and references), Western Europe (UK: North West England, West Midlands and North Wales) (Young 1970), Central Europe (Germany: Schleswig���Holstein, Thuringia, Franconia, South Lower Saxony) (Rixen 1961; P��rner 1966; Kaiser 1967; Bauchhenss 1971; Heitkamp 1981, 1982), Southern Europe (Spain: Castilla���La Mancha, Extremadura) (Gamo & Mayor 1987; Nore��a et al. 1999), Western Russia (Urals, upper Volga River) (Rogozin 1996; Korgina 2002) and Siberia (Rogozin 1996); Afrotropic: western Great Rift Valley (DR Congo: Lake Edward) (Marcus & du Bois-Reymond Marcus 1957) and East Africa (Kenya: Nairobi, Eastern Province and Rift Valley Province) (Young 1977); Neotropic: Brazil? (S��o Paulo) (Marcus 1946; uncertain, see below). Material. Observations of two live animals, one of which was subsequently whole-mounted. Description and remarks. Large species of Gieysztoria with a length of about 1.8 mm, with eyes and having a brown to bright orange���red pigmentation throughout the whole body (Fig. 6 A). The pharynx dolliiformis (ph) is up to 1 / 4 of the body length long. General organisation of the genital system does not, as far as could be observed, differ from the normal situation within Gieysztoria (Fig. 6 B) (see Luther 1955). The 62 ��m-long stylet (st) is relatively small and consists of a 25 ��m-long girdle composed of a proximal and distal ring interconnected by a large number of bridges (Fig. 6 C). The distal ring bears at least 20 homoiomorphic spines of a similar length (43 ��m) with an elongated base and slightly outwards pointing distal ends. The precise number of spines is difficult to count because of the positioning of the stylet in the whole mount. Vitellaria (vi) have long, digitiform papillae and run dorsolaterally from the intestine. A long, bent ovary (ov) lies behind the intestine on the left hand side of the body, with adjacent to it the seminal receptacle (rs) (Fig. 6 B). The latter is a short-stalked vesicle which is clearly separated from the rest of the female system. In one specimen, the seminal receptacle contained different compartments with sperm in varying degrees of decomposition. This partitioning and gradual breakdown has also been observed in other populations (see Luther 1955). Caudally, the uterus contains an oviform to triangular egg (e) (Fig. 6 B). The specimens from Alabama are relatively large compared to the normal size range known for this species (1 ��� 1.6 mm, see Luther 1955). Only considering stylet morphology, G. rubra (Fuhrmann, 1894) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 is identical to G. o r n a t a (Hofsten, 1907) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939. The stylet of G. r u b r a is also very similar to that of G. expeditoides Luther, 1955 and G. expedita (Hofsten, 1907) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939, but the girdle of these species is not fenestrated. The most important difference between G. rubra and G. ornata is the presence of large papillae in the vitellaria of G. rubra. In contrast, the vitellaria of G. ornata are smooth or only slightly papillose. However, the taxonomic importance of this diagnostic feature has been debated. Marcus (1946) described his specimens from Brazil as G. o r n a t a, but they were later transfered to G. r u b r a by Luther (1955) because of their papillose vitellaria. This was questioned by Brusa et al. (2003) who dispute the taxonomic importance of the shape of the vitellaria because of its variable appearance depending on the state of development of the animal. Consequently, they reassigned the Brazilian specimens to G. ornata based on the shape and structure of the stylet spines. A stalked, separate seminal receptacle is also present in G. expeditoides, G. cuspidata (Schmidt, 1861) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939, G. b e rg i (Beklemischew, 1927) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 and G. maritima Luther, 1955, but these species differ from G. r u b r a in stylet morphology or the habitus of the vitellaria (see Luther 1955). Its variable morphology, widespread distribution and the recognition of several subtaxa [G. rubra caucasica (Nasonov, 1919) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939, G. rubra frankia (Nasonov, 1919) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939, G. rubra typica (Gieysztor, 1931) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 and G. rubra intermedia (Gieysztor, 1931) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939] are strong indications that G. rubra represents a species complex, possibly including G. o r n a t a (see Luther 1955). This is likely also the case for many other taxa within Microdalyellia [e.g. M. rossi (Graff, 1911) Gieysztor, 1938, see further] and Gieysztoria. Based on the above-mentioned features, provisionally including the papillae of the vitellaria, the specimens from Alabama are placed in G. rubra. As so, this is the first record of this species for the Nearctic., Published as part of Steenkiste, Niels Van, Gobert, Stefan, Davison, Paul, Kolasa, Jurek & Artois, Tom, 2011, Freshwater Dalyelliidae from the Nearctic (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela): new taxa and records from Ontario, Canada and Michigan and Alabama, USA, pp. 1-32 in Zootaxa 3091 on pages 17-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.207604, {"references":["Fuhrmann, O. (1894) Die Turbellarien der Umgebung von Basel. Revue suisse de Zoologie, 2, 213 - 292.","Ruebush, T. K. & Hayes, W. J. (1939) The genus Dalyellia in America II. A new form from Tennessee and a discussion of the relationships within the genus. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 128, 136 - 152.","Graff, L. von (1904 - 1908) Acoela und Rhabdocoelida. In: Bronn, H. G. (Ed.), Klassen und Ordnungen des Thierreichs, Band IV (Vermes), Abtheilung Ic (Turbellaria), C. F. Winter'sche Verlagshandlung, Leipzig, pp. I - XXII + 1733 - 2599, Tafel I - XXX.","Hofsten, N. von (1907) Studien uber Turbellarien aus dem Berner Oberland. Zeitschrift fur Wissenschaftlichen Zoologie, 85, 391 - 654.","Marcus, E. (1946) Sobre Turbellaria Brasileiros. Boletins da Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciencias e Letras Universidade de Sao Paulo, Zoologia, 11, 5 - 254.","Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela). Eine Monographie. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 1 - 337.","Young, J. O. (1970) British and Irish freshwater Microturbellaria: historical records, new records and a key for their identification. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 67, 210 - 241.","Rixen, J. - U. (1961) Kleinturbellarien aus dem Litoral der Binnengewasser Schleswig-Holsteins. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 57, 464 - 538.","Porner, H. (1966) Die rhabdocoeliden Turbellarien der Gewasser von Jena und Umgebung. Limnologica, 4, 27 - 44.","Kaiser, H. (1967) Zur Turbellarienfauna zweier Moorgebiete in der Umgebung von Mulhausen / Thur. Abhandlungen und Berichte des Naturkundemuseums Gotha, 4, 9 - 32.","Bauchhenss, J. (1971) Die Kleinturbellarien Frankens. Ein Beitrag zur Systematik und Okologie der Turbellaria excl. Tricladida in Suddeutschland. Internationale Revue der gesamten Hydrobiologie und Hydrographie, 56, 609 - 666.","Heitkamp, U. (1981) Die Turbellarienfauna des Seeburger Sees in Sudniedersachsen. Drosera, 81, 27 - 32.","Heitkamp, U. (1982) Untersuchungen zur Biologie, Okologie und Systematik limnischer Turbellarien periodischer und perennierender Kleingewasser Sudniedersachsens. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, Supplement, 64, 65 - 188.","Gamo, J. & Mayor, I. (1987) Microturbelarios nuevos para la fauna iberica. VIII Bienal de la Real Sociedad Espanola de Historia Natural, Actas 23, Pamplona, 23 - 28.","Norena, C., del Campo, A. & del Real, M. (1999) Taxonomy and morphology of limnic microturbellarians (Platyhelminthes) in Extremadura (Spain). Hydrobiologia, 397, 21 - 28.","Rogozin, A. G. (1996) Turbellaria of Eastern Russia. Hydrobiological Journal, 32, 54 - 60.","Korgina, E. M. (2002) Survey of Turbellaria fauna from the upper Volga River bassin (in Russian). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 81, 1019 - 1024.","Marcus, E. & du Bois-Reymond Marcus, E. (1957) Exploration hydrobiologique des lacs Kivu, Edouard et Albert - Turbellaria. Resultats scientifiques de l'Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, Vol. III, Fasc. 2, 1 - 52.","Young, J. O. (1977) Six new species and records of two established species of Dalyelliidae (Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela) from freshwater habitats in Kenya, East Africa. Journal of Natural History, 11, 1 - 15.","Brusa, F., Damborenea, C. M. & Norena, C. (2003) A new species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from Argentina and a kinship analysis of South American species of the genus. Zoologica Scripta, 32, 449 - 457.","Schmidt, O. (1861) Untersuchungen uber Turbellarien von Corfu und Cephalonia. Nebst Nachtragen zu fruheren Arbeiten. Zeitschrift fur Wissenschaftlichen Zoologie, 11, 1 - 30, pls. I - IV.","Beklemischew, V. N. (1927) Uber die Turbellarienfauna des Aralsees. Zugleich ein Beitrag zur Morphologie und zum System der Dalyelliida. Zoologische Jahrbucher - Abteilung fur Systematik, Okologie und Geographie der Tiere, 54, 87 - 138.","Nasonov, N. (1919 - 1921) Contribution a la faune des Turbellaria de la Russie I - IV. Bulletin de l'Academie des Sciences de Russie, 6 th Series, 13 (part 2), 619 - 646 (I), 1039 - 1053 (II & III), 1179 - 1197 (IV).","Gieysztor, M. (1931) Contribution a la connaissance des Turbellaries Rhabdoceles (Turbellaria Rhabdocoela) d'Espagne. Bulletin de l'Academie Polonaise des Sciences et des Lettres, Classe des Sciences Mathematiques et Naturelles, Serie B: Sciences Naturelles (II), 1931, 125 - 153.","Graff, L. von (1911) Acoela, Rhabdocoela und Alloeocoela des Ostens der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika. Zeitschrift fur Wissenschaftlichen Zoologie, 99, 1 - 108.","Gieysztor, M. (1938) Systematisch-anatomische Untersuchungen an Turbellarien Polens. Zoologica Poloniae, 2, 215 - 248."]}

Gieysztoria dodgei (Graff, 1911) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 (Figs. 6 D–F) syn. Dalyellia dodgei Graff, 1911 syn. Microdalyellia (Gieysztoria) dodgei (Graff, 1911) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 New locality in the Nearctic. Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, USA (42 ° 24 ’ 57 ”N, 85 ° 26 ’ 22 ”W). Cool, fast groundwater-fed creek entering into Little Long Lake. On private property, with a well-developed riparian zone: organic material in slower pools in the bend of the creek, where coarse sand and decaying hardwoods have accumulated (08/06/ 2009). Other localities in the Nearctic. Charlevoix? (Michigan, USA) (Woodworth 1896; Stringer 1951; see remark Table 1); Rochester (New York, USA) (Graff 1911); Kapsigdlit (Greenland) (Reisinger & Steinböck 1927); upper Mississippi Basin (Wisconsin and possibly other states, USA) (Higley 1918; Hayes 1942; Watermolen 2005). Material. One whole mount containing the stylets of two individuals and the bundle of spermatophores of probably one individual. This material was recovered from specimens kindly provided by Christopher Laumer (Harvard University, USA), but animals were unfortunately decaying when received at Hasselt University (Belgium). It appeared that one stylet belonged to an individual eaten by another, cannibalistic specimen. Other observations were impossible because of the advanced state of decomposition of the animals. Description and remarks. Although observations on live animals were impossible, the whole mount allows a relatively detailed study of the stylet morphology. The stylet is 135 µm long and consists of a proximal, 20 µmhigh, half open girdle (gi) and a distal, 115 µm-long tube (tu) surrounded by a partly-open, funnel-shaped sheath (sh) and flanked by a number of heteromorphic spines on both sides (Figs. 6 D–F). The girdle has a concave proximal edge and appears fibrous and reticulate. Proximally, the sheath is relatively broad and contains a large open window. At about halfway along its length, it becomes more narrow and closes around the tube. Distally, the sheath and inner tube tightly fit, but their relative positions become very difficult to discern. At one lateral side of the girdle, a somewhat broadened plate (bp) bearing two smaller, straight spines (20 µm) is present. On the other side, the girdle edge bears a long, somewhat curved spine (50 µm), accompanied by a large, hollow, S-shaped spine (ss) (60 µm) with a very broad, open base. Luther (1955) rightly compares its shape with that of a drinking horn (“Trinkhorn”). In one of the whole mounts, its distal point is somewhat broadened to form a small triangular plate (arrow in Fig. 6 D). In between both lateral spine duos and the central sheathed tube, a long, straight spine (s) (55 µm) flanking the sheath on each side, complete the stylet. Apart from the stylet, about thirteen, slender spermatophores (up to 300 µm long) could be discerned in the whole mount. They are elongated with one end tapering to a pointed tip and the other end being curled. Luther (1955) even described them as nematode-shaped (“nematodenförmig”). Although some might have changed position when making the whole mount, most of them seem to have been organized in a relatively solid, spirally-curled bundle. Although reported as very abundant in its type locality by Graff (1911) and considered to be widespread by Higley (1918), Gieysztoria dodgei (Graff, 1911) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 is a poorly-known species. All confirmed findings are located around the Great Lakes, except for the locality in Greenland (see above). Based on sketches of the habitus and copulatory organ by Woodworth (1986) and Stringer (1918), Luther (1955) stated that Vortex bilineata Woodworth, 1886 [later renamed Dalyellia bilineata (Woodworth, 1886) Stringer, 1918], also from Michigan, might probably also be attributed to G. dodgei. Luther’s (1955) descripition of the stylet based on the accounts of Graff (1911, 1913), does not completely correspond with our observations. While the conspicuous, horn-shaped spine is identical as in the specimens studied in this paper, all previous authors describe the central tube and its sheath as two extremely long spines flanked by other spines of various sizes. In our opinion, the central tube and its sheath have a similar construction to that of Gieysztoria infundibuliformis (Fuhrmann, 1894) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939, i.e. a long, funnel-shaped double-walled tube (“Rinne”) with a very large proximal window (“Fenster”) in the outer wall (sheath). The inner tube (“Rohr”) is probably formed by the fusion of the superimposed sidewalls of the whole structure (for a detailed description, see Luther 1955). Although this sheathed tube is also flanked by long straight spines, G. infundibuliformis lacks a large, horn-shaped spine as in G. dodgei. Instead, multispinous axes (“Endäste”) are present on both outer girdle edges. The stylet construction of another species, Gieysztoria koiwi (Eggers, 1925) Luther, 1955, is very similar, but more simple with two central plates (“Rinne”) proximally, fusing to a tube (“Rohr”) distally. Both G. infundibuliformis and G. k o i w i are confined to the Palearctic. Based on stylet morphology, it seems that G. dodgei, G. infundibuliformis and G. k o i w i are closely related representatives of a Holarctic group.

Gieysztoria pavimentata (Beklemischew, 1926) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 (Fig. 5) syn. Dalyellia pavimentata Beklemischew, 1926 syn. Mesovortex stankovici An der Lan, 1939 syn. Microdalyellia (Gieysztoria) pavimentata (Beklemischew, 1926) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939, Published as part of Steenkiste, Niels Van, Gobert, Stefan, Davison, Paul, Kolasa, Jurek & Artois, Tom, 2011, Freshwater Dalyelliidae from the Nearctic (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela): new taxa and records from Ontario, Canada and Michigan and Alabama, USA, pp. 1-32 in Zootaxa 3091 on page 15, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.207604, {"references":["Beklemischew, V. N. (1926) Sur la morphologie de l'organe copulateur du genre Dalyellia. Bulletin de l'Institut des recherches biologiques et de la Station marine de l'Universite de Perm, 4, 238 - 248.","Ruebush, T. K. & Hayes, W. J. (1939) The genus Dalyellia in America II. A new form from Tennessee and a discussion of the relationships within the genus. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 128, 136 - 152.","An der Lan, H. (1939) Zur rhabdocoelen Turbellarienfauna des Ochridasees (Balkan). Sitzungsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse, Abteilung I, 148, 195 - 254."]}

Gieysztoria cuspidata (Schmidt, 1861) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 (Fig. 8 B) syn. Vortex cuspidatus Schmidt, 1861 syn. Vortex sexdentatus Graff, 1882 syn. Dalyellia cuspidata Hofsten, 1907 syn. Microdalyellia cuspidata Gieysztor, 1938 b New locality in Spain. La Puebla del Rio, Provincia de Sevilla, Spain (37 �� 11 ���42.84���N, 6 �� 11 ���24.53���W). Reserva Natural Concertada Dehesa de Abajo: temporal cattle pond with vegetation and Triops sp. 500m west from Dehesa de Abajo (21 /03/ 2008). Other localities in Spain. Central areas (Sierra de Guadarrama and river Tajo basin, see Gamo & Nore��a- Janssen 1998); La Albufera (Provincia de Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana) (Gieysztor 1931). New localities outside Spain. Palearctic: Genk, Limburg, Belgium (50 �� 57 ��� 29 ���N, 05�� 27 ��� 41 ���E). De Maten: floating and submersed aquatic vegetation in the Stiemerbeek (17 /07/ 2008). Lommel, Limburg, Belgium (51 �� 14 ��� 42 ���N, 05�� 17 ��� 29 ���E; 51 �� 14 ��� 53 ���N, 05�� 17 ��� 24 ���E; 51 �� 14 ��� 44 ���N, 05�� 17 ��� 22 ���E). Lommelse Sahara: aquatic vegetation in a pond (23 /07/ 2008). Bernissart, Hainaut, Belgium (50 �� 27 ��� 46 ���N, 03�� 40 ��� 52 ���E). Marais d���Harchies-Hensies-Pommeroeul: floating and submersed aquatic vegetation from the marsh between both bird hides (09/06/ 2009). Favask��r, Raseborg, Uusimaa, Finland (59 �� 50 ���01���N, 23 �� 15 ��� 48 ���E). Organic material and mosses from small rock pool (07/08/ 2008). Nearctic: Cootes Paradise, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (43 �� 16 ���08���N, 79 �� 54 ��� 31 ���W). Aquatic vegetation in a small, temporal pond close to the Ravine Trail (04/05/ 2009). Known distribution. Widespread throughout the Palearctic: many localities in Europe, Western Russia, Central Asia, Siberia, the Russian Far East (see Luther 1955 for localities and references); Central Europe (Germany: Schwleswig-Holstein, Thuringia, Franconia, Oberhessen and South Lower Saxony; Austria: Burgenland) (Rixen 1961; Kraus 1965; P��rner 1966; Bauchhenss 1971; Schwank 1981; Heitkamp 1982), Eastern Europe (Romania: floodplain of the Danube, littoral freshwater lakes of the Black Sea, Danube Delta) (Mack-Fira 1968, 1970b), Western Russia (Urals, Northern Dvina River; upper Volga River; Yaroslavl Oblast) (Rogozin 1996; Korgina 1999, 2002; Kotikova 2001), Siberia and the Russian Far East (Rogozin 1996), the Middle East (Israel) (Nore��a et al. 2008); Nearctic: Greenland (Steinb��ck 1932); Afrotropic: West Africa (Nigeria: Zaria) (Mead & Kolasa 1984). Material. Observations on a live animal and one whole mount from the new locality in Spain. Studies of live specimens from the other new localities and four whole mounts from Belgium. Remarks. The sclerotized parts of the copulatory organ consist of five large spines of similar size with a length of 28���33 ��m, which are not interconnected by a common base (���Aequales��� group of the Gieysztoria - type in Luther 1955, see also Discussion of G. i b e r i c a n. sp.). Bundles of digitiform protuberances originating from each spine are clearly visible in the whole mount (arrows in Fig. 8 B). The spines with fibres combined measure around 48 ��m. This type of stylet is only known from two species: Gieysztoria cuspidata (Schmidt, 1861) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939, a well-known ubiquitous species of various freshwater habitats in large parts of the (Western) Palearctic (see Luther 1955) and Gieysztoria isoldeae Artois et al., 2004, a species found in ephemeral rock pools in Botswana (see Artois et al. 2004). However, the spines of G. isoldeae only amount to four and are much longer (120���160 ��m) and more slender. One or possibly two spines of the specimens from Andalusia seem to be more curved than the others, a feature which has also been mentioned for other populations by Luther (1955). The length of the spines of specimens from other localities seems to be highly variable but ranges mostly between 16���29 ��m (see e.g. Beklemischew 1921; Gieysztor 1926, 1931; Bauchhenss 1971; Nore��a et al. 2008), making the spines of the specimen from Dehesa de Abajo among the largest found in this species [except for one specimen reported by Gieysztor (1931) from eastern Spain with spines up to 40 ��m in length]., Published as part of Steenkiste, Niels Van, Tessens, Bart, Krznaric, Kathleen & Artois, Tom, 2011, Dalytyphloplanida (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela) from Andalusia, Spain, with the description of four new species, pp. 1-29 in Zootaxa 2791 on page 21, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.201106, {"references":["Schmidt, O. (1861) Untersuchungen uber Turbellarien von Corfu und Cephalonia. Nebst Nachtragen zu fruheren Arbeiten. Zeitschrift fur Wissenschaftlichen Zoologie, 11, 1 - 30, pls. I - IV.","Ruebush, T. K. & Hayes, W. J. (1939) The genus Dalyellia in America II. A new form from Tennessee and a discussion of the relationships within the genus. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 128, 136 - 152.","Graff, L. von (1882) Monographie der Turbellarien I. Rhabdocoelida. Text + Atlas, Leipzig, 442 pp., 20 t.","Hofsten, N. von (1907) Studien uber Turbellarien aus dem Berner Oberland. Zeitschrift fur Wissenschaftlichen Zoologie, 85, 391 - 654.","Gieysztor, M. (1938 b) Uber einige Turbellarien aus dem Susswasserpsammon. Archives d'Hydrobiologie et d'Ichtyologie, 11, 364 - 382.","Gieysztor, M. (1931) Contribution a la connaissance des Turbellaries Rhabdoceles (Turbellaria Rhabdocoela) d'Espagne. Bulletin de l'Academie Polonaise des Sciences et des Lettres, Classe des Sciences Mathematiques et Naturelles. Serie B: Sciences Naturelles (II), 1931, 125 - 153.","Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela). Eine Monographie. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 1 - 337.","Rixen, J. - U. (1961) Kleinturbellarien aus dem Litoral der Binnengewasser Schleswig-Holsteins. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 57, 464 - 538.","Kraus, H. (1965) Zur Turbellarienfauna des Seewinkels im Neusiedlerseegebiet. Wissenschaftliche Arbeiten aus dem Burgenland, 32, 60 - 115.","Porner, H. (1966) Die rhabdocoeliden Turbellarien der Gewasser von Jena und Umgebung. Limnologica, 4, 27 - 44.","Bauchhenss, J. (1971) Die Kleinturbellarien Frankens. Ein Beitrag zur Systematik und Okologie der Turbellaria excl. Tricladida in Suddeutschland. Internationale Revue der gesamten Hydrobiologie und Hydrographie, 56, 609 - 666.","Schwank, P. (1981) Turbellarien, Oligochaeten und Archianneliden des Breitenbachs und anderer oberhessischer Mittelgebirgsbache. I. Lokalgeographische Verbreitung und die Verteilung der Arten in den einzelnen Gewassern in Abhangigkeit vom Substrat. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, Supplement, 62, 1 - 85.","Heitkamp, U. (1982) Untersuchungen zur Biologie, Okologie und Systematik limnischer Turbellarien periodischer und perennierender Kleingewasser Sudniedersachsens. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, Supplement, 64, 65 - 188.","Mack-Fira, V. (1968) Rhabdocoeliden aus dem Uberschwemmungsgebiet der Donau. Limnologische Berichte der X. Jubilaumstagung Donauforschung, Bulgarien, 10 - 20 Oktober, 1966, 251 - 258.","Mack-Fira, V. (1970 b) The Turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: Riser, N. W. & Morse, M. P. (Eds.), Biology of the Turbellaria. Libbie H. Hyman Memorial Volume, Mc-Graw-Hill Company, New York, pp. 248 - 290.","Rogozin, A. G. (1996) Turbellaria of Eastern Russia. Hydrobiological Journal, 32, 54 - 60.","Korgina, E. M. (1999) Turbellaria fauna in reservoirs of the North-Dvina system. Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 78, 1245 - 1247.","Korgina, E. M. (2002) Survey of Turbellaria fauna from the upper Volga River bassin (in Russian). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 81, 1019 - 1024.","Kotikova, E. A. (2001) Catecholaminergic neurons in the nervous system of Neorhabdocoela (Turbellaria). Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology, 37, 427 - 433.","Norena, C., Eitam, A. & Blaustein, L. (2008) \" Microturbellarian \" flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: new species and records from Israel. Zootaxa, 1705, 1 - 20.","Steinbock, O. (1932) Die Turbellarien des arktischen Gebietes. Fauna Arctica, Jena, 6, 295 - 342.","Mead, A. P. & Kolasa, J. (1984) New records of freshwater Microturbellaria from Nigeria, West Africa. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 212, 257 - 271.","Beklemischew, V. N. (1921) Materialen zur Systematik und Faunistik der Turbellarien Ost-Ruslands. Bulletin de l'Academie des Sciences de Russie, 1921, 631 - 656 (In Russian).","Gieysztor, M. (1926) Uber die Rhabdocoelidenfauna aus der Umgebung von Warschau. Bulletin de l'Academie Polonaise des Sciences et Lettres, Classe des Sciences Mathematiques et Naturelles, Serie B: Sciences Naturelles, 1926, 617 - 671."]}

Gieysztoria iberica n. sp. (Figs. 9 A��� 9 C) Localities. Do��ana National Park, Provincia de Huelva, Spain (37 ��03���00���N, 6 �� 16 ��� 42 ���W). Veta de Rivera: creek full of vegetation with a high diversity of macrobenthos (18 /03/ 2008) (type locality). Do��ana National Park, Provincia de Huelva, Spain (36 �� 54 ��� 50 ���N, 6 �� 17 ��� 48 ���W). La Monta��a del Rio: green algae in shallow brackish pool (29 /03/ 2008; 06/04/ 2008). Material. Observations on several live animals. Three whole mounts, one of which designated holotype (MNCN, no. 4.01/ 56), the other two paratype (HU, nos. 427���428). Two serially-sectioned specimens of rather poor quality. Etymology. The species epithet refers to Iberia (Gr.: I����������), a toponym used by the Ancient Greeks to designate the Iberian Peninsula (Lat.: Paeninsula Iberica), currently occupied by Spain and Portugal. Description. Animals measure �� 0.7 mm and have a reddish-brown colour (parenchymatous). Two eyes are present. The pharynx doliiformis is about 1 / 3 ��� 1 / 4 of the body length long. As far as could be observed in the serial sections, the internal organization of the genital system seems to be similar to that of other species of Gieysztoria (see Luther 1955). Two testes were observed in the live animals and are situated in the caudal body half. The ovary lies on the right side. The vitellaria are smooth without protrusions (papillae) and distally merge near the ovary. The relatively elongated, pyriform prostate vesicle is 200���260 ��m long (x = 225 ��m; n = 3), when measured on the whole mounts, and surrounded by well-developed circular muscles. The copulatory organ is situated on the left side of the body. Distally it ends in a straight stylet, which is 95���108 ��m long (x = 102 ��m; n = 3). The exceptionally long, half open girdle has a length of 76���87 ��m (x = 82 ��m; n = 3) and consists of a branching network of lengthwise-orientated fibres. Proximally, the bundle of fibres fans out with straight or curved tips. Distally the stylet bears a half open ring of 14���16 spines. The distal parts of the outer lateral spines bend more inwards than those of the inner spines. The outer spines (�� 10 ��m long) are also shorter than the inner ones (17���20 ��m long). The proximal parts of the spines are firmly fixed on the curved girdle rim. The ratio girdle/entire stylet is �� 0.8. A muscular bursa is situated between the male and female system and ends in the common genital atrium. Both circular and longitudinal muscles surround the bursa. The female duct was not clearly visible in the serial sections, but conspicuous glandular tissue and a sperm-filled seminal receptacle indicate its presence near the ovary. Vitellaria do not have digitiform protuberances. The uterus often contains a single egg. Diagnosis. Species of Gieysztoria with a stylet consisting of a 76���87 ��m-long girdle composed of a branching network of lengthwise-orientated fibres and a distal half open ring of 14���16 spines. Outer spines shorter and bending more inwards. Ratio girdle/entire stylet �� 0.8. Discussion. Gieysztoria Ruebush and Hayes, 1939 is a cosmopolitan and species-rich taxon. Based on stylet morphology, Luther (1955) split the genus into the ���Aequales���, having stylets with equal spines, and the ���Inaequales���, having stylets with spines of different shapes and sizes. The latter group is subdivided in the ���Fenestratae��� (F) (with round to oval openings in the girdle), the ���Radiata��� (R) (stylet radially symmetric without openings in the girdle) and the ���Aberrantes��� (A) (irregular construction of the stylet). A recent phylogenetic analysis based on morphological characters of a number of taxa belonging to both ���Aequales��� and ���Inaequales��� (see Brusa et al. 2003), confirms the monophyly of the genus, but also shows that the ���Aequales��� are interspersed among the ���Inaequales���, suggesting these groups do not reflect phylogenetic relationships. A thorough cladistical analysis of the Dalyelliidae Graff, 1908 and the taxon Gieysztoria in particular should further clarify the position of its representatives. When following Luther���s classification, Gieysztoria iberica n. sp. can be placed in the ���Inaequales���, subgroup ���Radiata���, because of the difference in size and shape between the outer and inner spines of the stylet and the lack of an opening in the girdle. It is, however, the relative length of the girdle that makes this taxon unique within Gieysztoria. Only nine taxa of Gieysztoria have a girdle, which is at least as long as the length of the spines. Four belong to the ���Aequales���: G. japonica (Okugawa, 1930) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939, G. k n i p o v i c i (Beklemischew, 1953) Luther, 1955, G. taurica (Nasonov, 1923) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 and G. rubra subsp. caucasica (Nasonov, 1919) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939; five are ���Inaequales���: G. f a u b e l i Artois et al., 2004 (R), G. beltrani (Gieysztor, 1931) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 (F), G. pavimentata (Beklemischew, 1926) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 (F), G. sasa Damborenea et al., 2005 (A) and G. virgulifera (Plotnikow, 1906) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 (F). However, none of them has a girdle of this impressive size, clearly distinguishing G. iberica n. sp. from all other taxa within Gieysztoria., Published as part of Steenkiste, Niels Van, Tessens, Bart, Krznaric, Kathleen & Artois, Tom, 2011, Dalytyphloplanida (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela) from Andalusia, Spain, with the description of four new species, pp. 1-29 in Zootaxa 2791 on pages 23-24, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.201106, {"references":["Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela). Eine Monographie. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 1 - 337.","Ruebush, T. K. & Hayes, W. J. (1939) The genus Dalyellia in America II. A new form from Tennessee and a discussion of the relationships within the genus. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 128, 136 - 152.","Brusa, F., Damborenea, C. M. & Norena, C. (2003) A new species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from Argentina and a kinship analysis of South American species of the genus. Zoologica Scripta, 32, 449 - 457.","Okugawa, K. I. (1930) A list of freshwater Rhabdocoelids found in Middle-Japan, with preliminary descriptions of new species. Memoires of the College of Science, Kyoto Imperial University, series B, 5, 75 - 88.","Beklemischew, V. N. (1953) Ciliated worms (Turbellaria) of the Caspian Sea. I. Rhabdocoela (with some remarks on Rhabdocoela of Aral). Bulletin of the Moscow Society of Naturalists, Biological Series, 58, 35 - 45.","Nasonov, N. (1923) Sur la faune de printemps et d'ete de la Crimee. Bulletin de l'Academie des Sciences de Russie, 1923, 72 - 74.","Nasonov, N. (1919) Contribution a la faune des Turbellaria de la Russie I - IV. Bulletin de l'Academie des Sciences de Russie, 6 th Series, 13 (part 2), 619 - 646 (I), 1039 - 1053 (II & III), 1179 - 1197 (IV).","Gieysztor, M. (1931) Contribution a la connaissance des Turbellaries Rhabdoceles (Turbellaria Rhabdocoela) d'Espagne. Bulletin de l'Academie Polonaise des Sciences et des Lettres, Classe des Sciences Mathematiques et Naturelles. Serie B: Sciences Naturelles (II), 1931, 125 - 153.","Beklemischew, V. N. (1926) Sur la morphologie de l'organe copulateur du genre Dalyellia. Bulletin de l'Institut des recherches biologiques et de la Station marine de l'Universite de Perm, 4, 238 - 248.","Damborenea, C., Brusa, F. & Norena, C. (2005) New species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from peruvian Amazon floodplain with description of their stylet ultrastructure. Zoological Science, 22, 1319 - 1329.","Plotnikow, W. (1906) Die rhabdocolen Turbellarien der Umgebung des Goktscha-Sees. Zoologische Jahrbucher - Abteilung fur Systematik, Okologie und Geographie der Tiere, 23, 395 - 400."]}

Gieysztoria macrovariata (Weise, 1942) Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 (Fig. 8 C) syn. Dalyellia rubra var. macrovariata Weise, 1942 New locality. Do��ana National Park, Provincia de Huelva, Spain (36 �� 58 ��� 50 ���N, 6 �� 29 ��� 11 ���W). Laguna Dulce: swamp vegetation on the northern edge of the lake (06/04/ 2008). Known distribution. Palearctic: Central Europe (Germany) and Southern Europe (Italy) (see Luther 1955 for localities and references), Western Europe (the Netherlands: South Holland) (Van Der Land 1965), Eastern Europe (Romania: littoral freshwater lakes of the Black Sea) (Mack-Fira 1970 b), East China (Wuhu city, Anhui Province) (Wang & Deng 2006). Material. Observations on a live animal and one whole mount. Remarks. The animal is about 1 mm long and has vitellaria with fingerlike papillae. The 100 ��m-long stylet consists of a 45 ��m-long girdle bearing 9 spines, which differ in length. The girdle consists of a fibrous network and is strengthened by a distal ring, on which the spines originate. Although the folding of the stylet did not allow us to determine the precise order of all spines, it is clear that the outer spines are larger and protrude more from the girdle than the inner ones. At least three of the outer spines have a relatively long and broad funnel-shaped base, whereas the other spines have a shorter, more slender base., Published as part of Steenkiste, Niels Van, Tessens, Bart, Krznaric, Kathleen & Artois, Tom, 2011, Dalytyphloplanida (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela) from Andalusia, Spain, with the description of four new species, pp. 1-29 in Zootaxa 2791 on page 22, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.201106, {"references":["Weise, M. (1942) Die Rhabdocoela und Alloeocoela der Kurmark mit besonderer Berucksichtigung des Gebietes von Gross-Berlin. I. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft naturforschender Freunde Berlin, 1942, 141 - 204.","Ruebush, T. K. & Hayes, W. J. (1939) The genus Dalyellia in America II. A new form from Tennessee and a discussion of the relationships within the genus. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 128, 136 - 152.","Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela). Eine Monographie. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 1 - 337.","Van Der Land, J. (1965) Notes on Microturbellaria from freshwater habitats in the Netherlands. Zoologische Mededelingen, 40, 235 - 251.","Mack-Fira, V. (1970 b) The Turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: Riser, N. W. & Morse, M. P. (Eds.), Biology of the Turbellaria. Libbie H. Hyman Memorial Volume, Mc-Graw-Hill Company, New York, pp. 248 - 290.","Wang, A. - T. & Deng, L. (2006) A new species and one newly recorded species of the genus Gieysztoria from China (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela, Dalyellioida). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica, 31, 120 - 124."]}

Gieysztoria falx Brusa, Damborenea and Nore��a 2003 Material and locality. Specimens studied in vivo by squash method. Atalaya on 2��8 ��01 and La Matilde stream on 5 �� 3 ��03. Sagittal sections of one specimen deposited in the Invertebrate Zoology Collection of the Museo de La Plata, MLP 5355. Comments. The morphology of the specimens studied here is similar to the description of specimens studied by Brusa et al. (2003) from Los Talas, Berisso, Buenos Aires, Argentina., Published as part of Brusa, Francisco, Damborenea, Cristina & Nore��a, Carolina, 2008, " Dalyellioida " (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from the R��o de la Plata estuary in Argentina, with the description of two new species of Gieysztoria, pp. 1-16 in Zootaxa 1861 on pages 10-11, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.183668, {"references":["Brusa, F., Damborenea, M. C. & Norena, C. (2003) A new species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from Argentina and a kinship analysis of South American species of the genus. Zoologica Scripta, 32, 449 - 457."]}

Gieysztoria rubra (Fuhrmann, 1894) Synonyms: Vortex ruber Fuhrmann, 1894 Dalyellia rubra Graff, 1904 ���1908 Microdalyellia rubra Gieysztor, 1939 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Few individuals. Live observations, squash preparations, whole-mounted individual. Ecological features. Gieysztoria rubra was found in small ponds with sandy bottoms and scarce filamentous algae (March 2001, January 2002). Gieysztoria rubra is broadly distributed in Europe (Luther 1955, Young 1970). It is also known from Kenya in East Africa (Young, 1977). According to Luther (1955), G. rubra is found in Brazil, although it was recorded as G. ornata by Marcus (1946). This is the first record for Israel., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 6-7, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 337 pp.","Young, J. O. (1970) British and Irish freshwater microturbellaria: historical records, new records and a key for their identification. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 67, 210 - 241.","Young, J. O. (1977) Six new species and records of two established species of Dalyelliidae (Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela) from freshwater habitats in Kenya, East Africa. Journal of Natural History, 11, 1 - 15.","Marcus, E. (1946) Sobre turbellaria limnicos brasileiros. Boletins da Facultade de Filosofia, Ciencias e Letras. Universidade de Sao Paulo, Zoologia, 11, 5 - 254."]}

Gieysztoria matilde n. sp. Figure 2 Material. Holotype: One specimen mounted in toto in polyvinyl–lactophenol, MLP 5345, La Matilde stream 12 –02–01, 05–03–03. Type locality. La Matilde stream, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Etymology. The species name refers to the type locality. Description. Specimens fixed and mounted in polyvinyl–lactophenol are 495 µm long and 150 µm wide. Eyes large, interocular distance similar to distance between eye and body margin. Body rounded at anterior end and tapering towards posterior end (figure 2 B). In fixed specimens, pharynx is 150 µm long and 67 µm wide. Male reproductive system with seminal vesicle located in front of copulatory apparatus, diameter of seminal vesicle similar to stylet length. Sclerotic stylet 54–65 µm long. Proximal region (proximal belt) formed by a fibrous framework with a dorsal discontinuity. A circular window, sometimes traversed by a few fibers, located in this fibrous region (figure 2 A, C). A central projection arising under this window bears a large blade­shaped hollow spine, 25 µm long. This spine separates two major groups of thin spines; one comprising several parallel rows of hollow, acicular, very thin spines, the other group located on the opposite side, formed by hollow and slightly thicker spines with broader bases, arranged in several irregular rows. Discussion. Due to the paucity of available specimens, our description of this species is based almost exclusively on its stylet structure. G. matilde n. sp. is most similar to Gieysztoria therapaina (Marcus 1946) Luther 1955 (Inaequales, Fenestratae). However, in the latter species the stylet is 33 µm long, almost half the length of the stylet in the new species (54–65 µm). In G. matilde the large central spine is about half the length of the stylet, whereas in G. therapaina the comparable spine (“b” in Marcus 1946; Luther 1955) is about 2 / 3 of the length of the stylet. G. therapaina has four different types of spines (Marcus 1946), whereas G. matilde n. sp. has only three types of spines. G. matilde n. sp. also lacks what Marcus (1946) described in G. therapaina as “pente pedunculado”, a projection originating at the distal part of the belt from under the window and bearing several smaller spines on its apical portion. These two species also differ in characteristics of the smaller spines; in G. therapaina, one of the groups is formed by thin spines arranged in a single row, whereas in G. matilde n. sp., the two groups of smaller spines are arranged in several rows. Marcus (1946) mentioned that G. therapaina specimens were 700 µm long, somewhat longer than the specimens studied here. The same author indicated, among other features of G. therapaina, the small eyes (vs. large in the new species described here) and the pharynx which is 180 µm long and 120 µm in diameter (vs. much smaller in the new species).

Gieysztoria atalaya n. sp. Figures 1, 7 C–F Material. Holotype: one specimen in toto mounted in polyvinyl–lactophenol MLP 5420, Atalaya 21 –02–03. Paratypes: Four specimens, sagittally cut MLP 5340, 5341, Atalaya 05–03–01, 02­02­02. One specimen in toto mounted in polyvinyl­lactophenol, MLP 5421, Atalaya 10 –04–03. Other material: Fifteen specimens, sagittally cut MLP 5342, 5343, 5344, 5723, 5724, Atalaya 05–03–01, 02­02­02, 04­04­02, 21 ­02­03, 10 ­04­03. Type locality. Atalaya (35 º00’53.6”S – 57 º 32 ’3.3”W), Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Etymology. The species name refers to the type locality. Description. Live adult specimens 430–575 µm long and 95–115 µm wide. Anterior end rounded. Five or six caudal papillae at abruptly tapering posterior end. Rhabdites arranged in groups of 3–4 along body. Rigid cilia at anterior and posterior ends of body longer than those on remaining epidermis. Pharynx in vivo 130 µm long and 100 µm wide, with four dorsal papillae at anterior margin of pharynx in contrast to other Gieysztoria species. Broad nerve tracts from brain to anterior region observed in sagittal sections. Conspicuous nucleus evident at peripheral anterior and posterior regions of brain. Black eyes formed by very numerous pigment spheres arranged in a kidney­shaped structure. Male reproductive system formed by two non­compact testes situated in posterior body region. Spermatozoids observed at periphery of testes. Vasa deferentia projecting from rostral portion of testes toward anterior region and apically or subapically entering seminal vesicle; the latter relatively small and continuous with similar­sized prostate vesicle. Sclerotic stylet approximately 62 µm long and 30 µm wide, with well­defined fibrous­like proximal belt showing a clear window on one side (figure 1 A, C). Belt open at side opposite window. Three types of spines originating from belt. A) One spine (spine “a” in figure 1 C, length 23 µm) issuing from under window – broad at the base and tapering towards blunt distal end. Spine hollow, situated between the other two groups of spines. B) On one side of stylet, a group of approximately ten thick spines (spines “b” in figure 1 C), originating from belt margin, all of similar shape and length. Very thin spines scattered among them. C) On other side of spine “a”, a third group of spines (spines “c” in figure 1 C) arranged in several rows forming a “brush”. Approximately 10 spines in proximal row, with broad base and rapidly tapering so as to present triangular shape (figure 1 C). Female reproductive system comprising an ovary located on right side of body and dorsal to intestine. Oocytes arranged in two or three series at proximal part of ovary, and uniserially at distal part (figure 1 D). Ovary continued into a short oviduct; oviduct widening to form a seminal receptacle connected to uterus by a long common duct. Uterus with thick walls, curved to open into the genital atrium. Egg in uterus large (greater diameter 152 µm, lesser diameter 93 µm), oval, with operculum at one of its ends. Vitellaria smooth (figure 1 B); anteriorly reaching base of pharynx and ventral at this level; becoming dorsal at posterior end, there merging to enter the common duct. Bursa copulatrix with very thick muscular walls, opening into common duct. Gonopore surrounded by a strong sphyncter and cement glands. Discussion. Based mainly on the configuration and shape of the male stylet, G. atalaya could be compared with three species: Gieysztoria pavimentata (Beklemischev 1926) Luther 1955, G. virgulifera (Plotnikov 1906) Luther 1955 and G. beltrani (Gieysztor 1931) Luther 1955. Gieysztoria pavimentata is the species with the most similar stylet to that of the new species. G. pavimentata was considered by Luther (1955) as belonging to the Inaequales group, subgroup Fenestrate. Both species possess a robust spine, but in G. atalaya this spine occupies a central position on the girdle (spine “a” figure 1 C) whereas in G. pavimentata it is located on the right side of the stylet (spine “d” of Luther 1955, figure 41 G, H and 42 B). In addition to the different location, the central spine of G. atalaya is clearly larger and differs in shape from the rest of spines, which is not the case of spine “d” (after Luther 1955) in G. pavimentata. Furthermore, the constellation of the smaller spines of G. pavimentata is different from that of G. atalaya. G. pavimentanta bears 10 spines on the girdle edge, followed by 2 or 3 irregular rows of spines on the wall of the copulatory organ. In contrast, the spines of G. atalaya are arranged in two groups, the first group (spines “b”) formed by about 10 spines and the second group (spines “c”) formed by three or four rows of thin spines with similar shape, but different length. The stylets of Gieysztoria beltrani and G. virgulifera are also similar to that of G. atalaya; both have a belt with a middle window and a large spine issuing from under it. In G. beltrani the large spine under the window (Gieysztor 1931; Luther 1955) bears small spines, contrasting with the smooth large spine of G. atalaya. In G. beltrani, the rest of the spines are grouped at the sides of the large spine, with six spines on one side and a variable number on the other. G. v i rg u l i f e r a has two groups of spines at both sides of the smooth large central spine, similarly to the condition in G. atalaya, but the groups differ in number and shape of the spines. In G. virgulifera the first group is formed by 4–7 spines on one side and only two robust, scimitar­shaped spines, on the other (Luther 1955).

Gieysztoria cuspidata (Schmidt, 1861) (Figure 4) Synonyms: Vortex cuspidatus Schmidt, 1861 Dalyellia cuspidata Hofsten, 1907 Microdalyellia cuspidata Gieysztor, 1938 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Few individuals. Live observations, squash preparations, whole-mounted individual, and photographs. Morphological remarks. Stylet with 3���7 spines (European specimens with 3���6 spines), but without real girdle (Fig. 4 C). Spines are thorn-like with a broad base. The curvature of the spines is variable, in some individuals nearly straight, in others sickle-like. Length of the spines is 26.9���28.5 ��m. Ecological features. Gieysztoria cuspidata is a typical inhabitant of freshwater environments (temporary and permanent pools, springs and rivers). G. c u s p i d a t a tolerates temperatures up to 31 ��C and low salinity contents (Luther, 1955). In Israel, it was collected from large and intermediate-sized temporary pools from December to April (December 2001, January - March 2002) and was most common in late February (Fig. 5). Gieysztoria cuspidata shows a European distribution (Luther, 1955; Mack-Fira, 1974). It was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al. (2004). FIGURE 5: Abundance of Gieysztoria cuspidata collected from the two largest pools at Mt. Kavul/Mt. Shekhanya during the winter and spring of 2001���2002. Pool 1 has a maximal surface area of 166 m 2 and maximal water depth of 80 cm. Pool 2 has a maximal surface area of 74 m 2 and maximal water depth of 38 cm., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 7, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 337 pp.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290.","Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117."]}

Gieysztoria hymanae (Marcus 1946) Luther 1955 Figures 5, 7 A, B Material and locality. Live specimens studied by squash method. Two specimens sectioned sagittally MLP 5359. Atalaya (2��8 ��01; 27 �� 1 ��04). This is the first record of the species in Argentina. Comments. The specimens studied here are similar to those described by Marcus (1946) from Brazil. However, subtle differences between both populations can be observed. Fixed studied specimens were 250��� 290 ��m long, with the pharynx 85 ��m long and 57 ��m wide.Within the male genital system, Marcus (1946) mentioned that the vasa deferentia arose from the rostral region of the testes and the seminal vesicle was small, in contrast with the morphology observed in our materials in which the vasa deferentia issue from the medial��posterior region of testes, first extending anteriorly and then merging together before entering a large seminal vesicle at its medial region (figure 5 B). The morphology and size of the stylet agree with Marcus��description (Marcus 1946). The stylet was 60 ��m in total length, with a belt with two rings joined by several bridges (figure 5 A). It bears four thick spines with three groups of 4���6 thin spines interspersed, and two thin spines on each side between the thick lateral spines and the opening of the belt, all arising from the distal ring in a single row. In specimens observed in vivo, spermatozoids are found in the peripheral region of the testes, while none are present in the central region. The morphology of ovary, seminal receptacle and vitellaria agree with Marcus��descriptions. According to Marcus (1946), the bursa copulatrix of some specimens has a pseudocuticle formed by the basilar walls of the epithelium, which was not observed in our material. On the other hand, a sinuosity was observed in the peduncle of the bursa, and a pair of lateral projections in the main region of the bursa (figure 5 C). These were very evident in our material, but are not mentioned in the original description of this species. Previously known distribution. Brazil: S��o Paulo, a stream near Pirajuss��ra River and a marsh in Brooklyn Paulista (Marcus 1946). This last locality where the material was originally collected has disappeared because of the expansion of S��o Paulo city. It is worth noting that this is the first record of this species since its description., Published as part of Brusa, Francisco, Damborenea, Cristina & Nore��a, Carolina, 2008, " Dalyellioida " (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from the R��o de la Plata estuary in Argentina, with the description of two new species of Gieysztoria, pp. 1-16 in Zootaxa 1861 on page 10, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.183668, {"references":["Marcus, E. (1946) Sobre Turbellaria brasileiros. Zoologia. Universidade de Sao Paulo. Boletins da Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciencias e Letras, 11, 5 - 254.","Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden (Turbellaria Neorhabdocoela) Eine Monographie. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 1 - 337."]}

Two new species of Gieysztoria are described, along with the first record of two species of this genus in Argentina. Gieysztoria atalaya n. sp. has a sclerotic stylet with a window on one of its sides and a belt bearing three types of spines. One hollow spine, originated under the window, is basally broad and tapers towards its blunt distal end. This spine separates the other two groups of spines, one of approximately ten thick spines situated on the edge of the belt, and the other arranged in several rows. The proximal row bears approximately 10 triangular spines, broad at the base and rapidly tapering. Gieysztoria matilde n. sp. has a sclerotic stylet with a belt formed by a fibrous framework and a circular window. A central projection arising under this window bears a large blade-shaped hollow spine. This spine separates two major groups of thin spines, one formed by several parallel rows of hollow, acicular, very thin spines, the other comprising hollow and slightly thicker spines with broader base, arranged in several irregular rows. Gieysztoria evelinae (Marcus 1946) Luther 1955, Gieysztoria hymanae (Marcus 1946) Luther 1955 and Gieysztoria falx Brusa, Damborenea and Norena 2003 are reported for the second time after their original description. Nygulus evelinae Marcus 1954 is cited for the first time for Argentina; until now, this species was known only for the estuary of Itanhaen River in Bahia de Santos, Brazil.

Gieysztoria ornata (Hofsten, 1907) (Figure 3) Synonyms: Dalyellia ornata Hofsten, 1907 Microdalyellia ornata Gieysztor, 1938 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Many individuals. Live observations, squash preparations, whole-mounted individual. Ecological features. Gieysztoria ornata dwells in temporary pools with dense vegetation and also in cold lakes in the northern regions of Europe (Luther, 1955). In Israel, G. ornata was found in pools without vegetation, some with filamentous algae (March 2000, January 2001, February���April 2002). Gieysztoria ornata is known from Europe, Greenland and Brazil (Steinb��ck, 1932; Marcus, 1946; Luther, 1955; Gamo & Leal-Zanchet, 2004). G. ornata was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 5-6, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 337 pp.","Steinbock, O. (1932) Die Turbellarien des arktischen Gebietes. Fauna Arctica Jena, 6, 295 - 342.","Marcus, E. (1946) Sobre turbellaria limnicos brasileiros. Boletins da Facultade de Filosofia, Ciencias e Letras. Universidade de Sao Paulo, Zoologia, 11, 5 - 254.","Gamo, J. & Leal-Zanchet, A. M. (2004) Freshwater microturbellarians (Platyhelminthes) from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Zoologia, 21, 897 - 903."]}

Two new species of Dalyellidae, Dalyellia callvucurai n. sp. and Gieysztoria namuncurai n. sp., are described from temporary freshwater environments in central Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The ultrastructure of the stylets of both species is also described. The new species of the genus Dalyellia is the second species of the genus found in the neotropics and the first whose stylet has been studied with scanning electron microscopy. Gieysztoria namuncurai n. sp. joins the seven species of the genus known in Argentina. The ultrastructural characteristics of the stylet place it in the Inaequales group, with complex stylets.

Hochberg, Rick, Cannon, Lester R. G. (2001): A new species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes; Rhabdocoela; Dalyelliidae) from a freshwater lake in Queensland, Australia. Zootaxa 11: 1-8, {"references":["Cannon, L.R.G. (1986) Turbellaria of the World. A Guide to Families & Genera. Queensland Museum, Australia, 136 pp.","Cannon, L.R.G. (1991). Temnocephalan symbionts of the freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus from northern Australia. Hydrobiologia, 227, 341-347.","Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliden (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela), eine monographie. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 1-337.","Hartenstein, V. & Dwine, K.A. (2000) Freshwater Dalyellid flatworm, Gieysztoria superba sp. nov.","Kolasa, J. & Schwartz, S.S. (1988) Two new Mesostoma species (Turbellaria, Rhabdocoela) from Australia. Zoologica Scripta, 17, 329-335.","Mack-Fira,V. (1968) Dalyelliidae (Turbellaria, Rhabdocoela) din Romania. Studii si cercetar de Biologie Seria Zoologie, 20, 527-534.","Marcus, E. (1946) Sobre Turbellaria Brasileiros. Zoologia, 11, 5-254.","Norena-Janssen, C. (1995) Studies of the taxonomy and ecology of the Turbellaria (Plathelminthes) in the floodplain of the Parana river (Argentina). II. Taxonomy and ecology of the Turbellaria. Archives fur Hydrobiologie, 107, 21-262.","Sluys, R. & Rhode, K. (1991) A new species of freshwater triclad (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida) from Australia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 102, 153-62.","Rohde, K., Cannon, L.R.G., & Watson, N. (1988) Ultrastructure of the flame bulbs and protonephridial capillaries of Gieysztoria sp. (Rhabodcoela Dalyelliida), Rhinolasius sp. (Rhabodcoela Kalyptorhynchia) and Actinodactyella blanchardi (Rhabdocoela Temnocephalida). Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology, 20, 605-612.","Watson, N. & Rohde, K. (1995) Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and spermatozoa in the platyehelminths Actinodactyella blanchardi (Temoncephalida, Actinodactyellidae), Didymorchis sp. (Temnocephalida, Didymorchidae) and Gieysztoria sp. (Dalyelliida, Dalyelliidae), with implications for the phylogeny of the Rhabdocoela. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development, 27, 145-158.","Young, J.O. (1976) The freshwater Turbellaria of the African continent. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 197, 419-432.","Young, J.O. (1977) Six new species and records of two established species of Dalyelliidae (Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela) from freshwater habitats in Kenya, East Africa. Journal of Natural History, 11, 1-15."]}

Two new species of the "Aequales" of genus Gieysztoria were collected and described from an artificial lake on the Shenzhen University campus. Gieysztoria bimaculata n. sp., is distinguished based on two groups clavate pigmentations dorsally between the pharynx and intestine, and has a sclerotic stylet comprising a proximal girdle with 40-46 distal dagger-shape spines, thus has the maximum number of spines within "Aequales" group. Gieysztoria guangdongensis n. sp. has a sclerotic stylet with a proximal girdle and 18 distal blade-shaped spines. Comparison with similar species based mainly on stylet morphology suggests that Gieysztoria bimaculata n. sp. and Gieysztoria guangdongensis n. sp. are apparently different from the known species of Gieysztoria in this moment. In addition, the stability of the amount of distal spines of "Aequales" species is briefly discussed.

Summary One new species of Microdalyellia and five new species of Gieysztoria are described from freshwater habitats in Kenya. The main diagnostic feature in each of these species is the male cuticular apparatus. Gieysztoria expedita (Hofsten, 1907) is recorded for the first time from Africa, and new records of G. rubra (Fuhrmann, 1894) are presented.