The Occurrence of Dugesia tigrina (GIRARD, 1850) (Turbellaria : Tricladida : Paludicola) in Uruguay

Abstract

Dugesia tigrina (GIRARD, 1850), a common species of freshwater planarian of North America and now introduced into many countries in Europe, Asia and Australia, is recorded from the Arroyo Sauce, Departmento de Canelones, near Montevideo, Uruguay. This is the first record of occurrence of any freshwater triclad in this country. Its taxonomic redescription is given. It is not clear whether the Uruguayan population of D. tigrina is a native or an introduced one.