Othelosoma joburgi, the sickgreen flatworm, is a species of land planarian belonging to the subfamily Microplaninae. It is native to South Africa.[1]

Othelosoma joburgi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Order: Tricladida
Family: Geoplanidae
Genus: Othelosoma
Species:
O. joburgi
Binomial name
Othelosoma joburgi
Jones, 2004

Taxonomy edit

Othelosoma joburgi was described in 2004 by H. D. Jones of the University of Manchester, from type specimens found in Roodepoort, South Africa. The specific epithet is derived from Jo'burg, a colloquial name for Johannesburg and by extension the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, of which Roodepoort is part of.[2]

Description edit

Othelosoma joburgi, from type specimens, can range from generally 6–15 mm long and 1–3 mm wide in size. The defining feature of Othelosoma joburgi is its "sick-green" color, which is nearly uniform all across the dorsal side of the body. The ventral side is white in color with no visible markings; two small eyes are on the anterior ventral side.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Othelosoma joburgi Jones, 2004". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  2. ^ a b Jones, H. D. (2004). "A new species of land planarian (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Terricola: Rhynchodemidae) from South Africa, with a list of African terrestrial planarian species". African Zoology. 39 (1): 31–40. doi:10.1080/15627020.2004.11407283. ISSN 1562-7020.