@article {1721, title = {The freshwater planarian Polycelis felina as a sensitive species to assess the long-term toxicity of ammonia}, journal = {Chemosphere}, volume = {84}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Jul}, pages = {533-7}, abstract = {

Behavioural endpoints are a good link between physiological and ecological effects. However long-term behavioural endpoints are not uniformly studied over all different organism groups. For example behaviour has been scarcely studied in planarians. Unionized ammonia (NH(3)) is one of the most widespread pollutants in developed countries, and is known to alter animal behaviour. In this study a long-term (30 d) bioassay was conducted to assess the effect of this pollutant on survival and behavioural activity (e.g. locomotion activity) of the freshwater planarian Polycelis felina. One control and three environmentally-realistic concentrations of unionized ammonia (treatments of 0.02, 0.05, and 0.09 mg N-NH(3) L(-1)) were used in quintuplicate. The behaviour of planarians was measured after 0, 10, 20 and 30 d of ammonia exposure. Mortality was recorded every 2 d. Unionized ammonia increased mortality in the two highest NH(3) concentrations and the locomotory activity was depressed in all treatments after 20 d of exposure. Behavioural effect was observed at concentrations 20 times lower than the short-term LC50 for this species. Previous studies proposed safe concentrations of unionized ammonia of 0.01-0.10 mg N-NH(3) L(-1) to aquatic ecosystems, but our study has shown that these concentrations will affect planarians. Because planarians play a key role in streams (as predator/scavenger), safe concentrations should be below 0.02 mg N-NH(3) L(-1) to protect this species in the freshwater community. Our results can contribute to improve the knowledge about ammonia toxicity to freshwater ecosystems, we recommend that safe concentrations of unionized ammonia should be based on very sensitive species.

}, keywords = {Ammonia, Animals, Environmental Monitoring, Fresh Water, planarians, Water Pollutants, Chemical}, issn = {1879-1298}, doi = {10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.04.030}, author = {Alonso, Alvaro and Camargo, Julio A} } @article {1653, title = {The maintenance and regeneration of the planarian excretory system are regulated by EGFR signaling}, volume = {138}, year = {2011}, month = {2011//}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/dev.066852}, author = {Rink, J. C. and Vu, H. T. and Sanchez Alvarado, A.} } @article {1659, title = {A regulatory program for excretory system regeneration in planarians}, volume = {138}, year = {2011}, month = {2011//}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/dev.068098}, author = {Scimone, M. L. and Srivastava, M. and Bell, G. W. and Reddien, P. W.} } @article {1660, title = {A primary microcephaly protein complex forms a ring around parental centrioles}, volume = {43}, year = {2011}, month = {2011//}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ng.971}, author = {Sir, J. H. and Barr, A. R. and Nicholas, A. K. and Carvalho, O. P. and Khurshid, M. and Sossick, A. and Reichelt, S. and D{\textquoteright}Santos, C. and Woods, C. G. and Gergely, F.} } @article {1625, title = {Dishevelled is essential for neural connectivity and planar cell polarity in planarians}, volume = {108}, year = {2011}, month = {2011//}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1012090108}, author = {Almuedo-Castillo, M. and Salo, E. and Adell, T.} } @article {1640, title = {Boule-like genes regulate male and female gametogenesis in the flatworm Macrostomum lignano}, volume = {357}, year = {2011}, month = {2011//}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.06.030}, author = {Kuales, G. and Mulder, K. and Glashauser, J. and Salvenmoser, W. and Takashima, S. and Hartenstein, V. and Berezikov, E. and Salzburger, W. and Ladurner, P.} } @article {1595, title = {The head-regeneration transcriptome of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea}, volume = {12}, year = {2011}, month = {2011//}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/gb-2011-12-8-r76}, author = {Sandmann, T. and Vogg, M. C. and Owlarn, S. and Boutros, M. and Bartscherer, K.} } @article {1599, title = {Two-color fluorescent in situ hybridization in the embryonic zebrafish brain using differential detection systems}, volume = {11}, year = {2011}, month = {2011//}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-213X-11-43}, author = {Lauter, G. and Soll, I. and Hauptmann, G.} } @article {1581, title = {Evolutionary implications of morphogenesis and molecular patterning of the blind gut in the planarian Schmidtea polychroa}, volume = {352}, year = {2011}, month = {2011//}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.01.032}, author = {Martin-Duran, J. M. and Romero, R.} } @article {1558, title = {Hox collinearity{\textemdash}a new perspective}, volume = {55}, year = {2011}, month = {2011//}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.113358ad}, author = {Durston, A. J. and Jansen, H. J. and Rieden, P. I. and Hooiveld, M. H.} } @article {400, title = {Molecular markers to characterize the hermaphroditic reproductive system of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea}, journal = {BMC Developmental Biology}, volume = {11}, year = {2011}, pages = {69}, abstract = {

Background The freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea exhibits two distinct reproductive modes. Individuals of the sexual strain are cross-fertilizing hermaphrodites with reproductive organs that develop post-embryonically. By contrast, individuals of the asexual strain reproduce exclusively by transverse fission and fail to develop reproductive organs. These different reproductive strains are associated with distinct karyotypes, making S. mediterranea a useful model for studying germline development and sexual differentiation. Results To identify genes expressed differentially between these strains, we performed microarray analyses and identified \>800 genes that were upregulated in the sexual planarian. From these, we characterized 24 genes by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), revealing their expression in male germ cells or accessory reproductive organs. To identify additional markers of the planarian reproductive system, we also used immuno- and fluorescent lectin staining, identifying several antibodies and lectins that labeled structures associated with reproductive organs. Conclusions Collectively, these cell-type specific markers will enable future efforts to characterize genes that are important for reproductive development in the planarian.

}, doi = {doi:10.1186/1471-213X-11-69}, url = {http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-213X/11/69}, author = {Tracy Chong and Joel M Stary and Yuying Wang and Newmark, Phillip A.} } @article {162, title = {Schmidtea mediterranea phylogeography: an old species surviving on a few Mediterranean islands?}, journal = {BMC Evolutionary Biology}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, year = {2011}, chapter = {274}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2148-11-274}, url = {http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2148-11-274.pdf}, author = {Eva M. L{\'a}zaro and Harrath, Abdul Halim and Stocchino, Giacinta and Maria Pala and Jaume Bagu{\~n}{\`a} and Marta Riutort} } @article {529, title = {Sex-inducing effect of a hydrophilic fraction on reproductive switching in the planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis (Seriata, Tricladida)}, journal = {Frontiers in Zoology}, volume = {8}, year = {2011}, pages = {23}, abstract = {

Background The mechanisms underlying the switching from an asexual to a sexual mode of reproduction, and vice versa, remain unknown in metazoans. In planarians, asexual worms acquire cryptic sexuality when fed with sexual worms, indicating that sexual worms contain a sex-inducing substance. Although such a chemical compound will provide clues about the mechanisms underlying the switching, information on the sex-inducing substance is poor. In order to identify this substance, we have established an assay system for sexual induction in asexual worms of Dugesia ryukyuensis by feeding them with sexual worms. Here, we carried out an isolation study on the sex-inducing substance using this assay system. Results After centrifugation of sexual worms homogenised in saline solution, we found that not only did the precipitate have a sex-inducing effect on the asexual worms, which has been shown previously, but the cytosolic fraction did as well. We confirmed that the sex-inducing activity in the cytosolic fraction was recovered in a hydrophilic fraction separated on an octadecylsilane (ODS) column. We showed that the sex-inducing substance in the hydrophilic fraction is papain-resistant and a putative low-molecular-weight compound of less than 500. We also suggest the presence of an enhancer of sexual induction with a molecular weight (MW) of more than 5 K in the hydrophilic fraction. Conclusion Our experiments showed the existence of a sex-inducing substance and an enhancer of sex-induction in a hydrophilic fraction, and a putative hydrophobic sex-inducing substance in the precipitate. Sexual induction in the asexual worms might be triggered by additive or synergistic effects of these chemical compounds.

}, doi = {10.1186/1742-9994-8-23}, url = {http://www.frontiersinzoology.com/content/pdf/1742-9994-8-23.pdf}, author = {Kobayashi, Kazuya and Hoshi, Motonori} } @article {758, title = {Clonogenic neoblasts are pluripotent adult stem cells that underlie planarian regeneration}, journal = {Science}, volume = {332}, number = {6031}, year = {2011}, month = {05/2011}, pages = {811-6}, abstract = {

Pluripotent cells in the embryo can generate all cell types, but lineage-restricted cells are generally thought to replenish adult tissues. Planarians are flatworms and regenerate from tiny body fragments, a process requiring a population of proliferating cells (neoblasts). Whether regeneration is accomplished by pluripotent cells or by the collective activity of multiple lineage-restricted cell types is unknown. We used ionizing radiation and single-cell transplantation to identify neoblasts that can form large descendant-cell colonies in vivo. These clonogenic neoblasts (cNeoblasts) produce cells that differentiate into neuronal, intestinal, and other known postmitotic cell types and are distributed throughout the body. Single transplanted cNeoblasts restored regeneration in lethally irradiated hosts. We conclude that broadly distributed, adult pluripotent stem cells underlie the remarkable regenerative abilities of planarians.

}, doi = {10.1126/science.1203983}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3338249/pdf/nihms355177.pdf}, author = {Daniel E. Wagner and Irving E. Wang and Peter W. Reddien} } @article {754, title = {Planarian (Dugesia polychroa) predation on freshwater gastropod eggs depends on prey species, clutch morphology, and egg size}, journal = {Fundamental and Applied Limnology}, volume = {178}, number = {4}, year = {2011}, month = {03/2011}, pages = {325-339}, abstract = {

Though triclad planarias could limit littoral snail recruitment by preying on eggs with their muscular ventral pharynx, planarian predation on eggs has never been quantified. Intact egg clutches encompassing eight snail species x three developmental stages were offered to Dugesia (= Schmidtea) polychroa (Paludicola: Dugesiidae) individuals (body length = 6-12 mm) in one-on-one, no-choice 24-h feeding trials to gain a first insight on snail egg palatability to dugesiid planarias. Predatory losses were quantified as differences in planaria-present trials vs. parallel planaria-absent controls. D. polychroa predation on snail eggs was generally low. Eggs in monolayered, flat clutches of bithyniids (Bithynia leachii) and planorbids (Planorbis planorbis, Helisoma trivolvis, and Planorbarius corneus) were more susceptible to planarian predation than multilayered eggs in sausage-shaped clutches of physids (Physa acuta) and lymnaeids (Lymnaea stagnalis, Radix auricularia, and Stagnicola fuscus). Planarian predation also was higher on smaller eggs, and was not related to planarian body size. Vulnerability was also markedly species-specific, with appreciable losses recorded only for pre-hatching eggs of P. planorbis and, to a lesser extent, H. trivolvis. The results suggest that, with the possible exception for the soft-clutch, small eggs of P. planorbis, predation by D. polychroa on eggs does not impact gastropod recruitment appreciably.

}, issn = {1863-9135}, doi = {10.1127/1863-9135/2011/0178-0325}, author = {Lombardo, Paola and Miccoli, Francesco Paolo and Giustini, Marco and Cicolani, Bruno} } @article {167, title = {Freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) from the Iberian Peninsula and Greece: diversity and notes on ecology}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {2779}, year = {2011}, month = {02/2011}, pages = {1-38}, author = {Miquel Vila-Farr{\'e} and Ronald Sluys and {\'I}o Almagro and Mette Handberg-Thorsager and Rafael Romero} } @article {278, title = {Geoplana multicolor Graff (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida): new records and taxonomic re-interpretation of morphological characters}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {2804}, year = {2011}, pages = {41-55}, chapter = {41}, abstract = {

Many species of land flatworms have been described based on specimens, or even on a single specimen, from a sole locality. Thus, populational or individual variations are poorly known. The external morphology of Geoplana multicolor Graff, 1899 was first described based on a single specimen from the vicinities of the city of S\ão Paulo, South Brazil. Marcus (1951) analysed specimens from S\ão Paulo with a similar external aspect and considered them as conspecific with G. multicolor, describing their internal anatomy. In the present work, we amplify the known distribution of the species, by registering its occurrence in four localities of southern Brazil (state of Rio Grande do Sul), and comparatively analyse this relatively ample material, which includes different developmental phases. The description of histological aspects, especially those regarding musculature and secretory cells of the copulatory organs, has been enhanced and amplified after the present analysis. Thus, the description of G. multicolor is here complemented, with an improvement on the interpretation of important taxonomical characters. In addition, the paper reports, for the first time, the occurrence of an ejaculate attached to the atrial wall of a species of Geoplaninae which presents a penis papilla, and briefly discusses its significance.

}, url = {http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02804p055f.pdf}, author = {Leal-Zanchet, Ana M. and Matos, Lisiane B.} } @article {153, title = {Land planarians (Platyhelminthes) as a model organism for fine-scale phylogeographic studies: understanding patterns of biodiversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest hotspot}, journal = {Journal of Evolutionary Biology}, volume = {24}, number = {4}, year = {2011}, pages = {887-896}, chapter = {887}, abstract = {

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots of the world. Paleoclimatic models have predicted two large stability regions in its northern and central parts, whereas southern regions might have suffered strong instability during Pleistocene glaciations. Molecular phylogeographic and endemism studies show, nevertheless, contradictory results: although some results validate these predictions, other data suggest that paleoclimatic models fail to predict stable rainforest areas in the south. Most studies, however, have surveyed species with relatively high dispersal rates whereas taxa with lower dispersion capabilities should be better predictors of habitat stability. Here, we have used two land planarian species as model organisms to analyse the patterns and levels of nucleotide diversity on a locality within the Southern Atlantic Forest. We find that both species harbour high levels of genetic variability without exhibiting the molecular footprint of recent colonization or population expansions, suggesting a long-term stability scenario. The results reflect, therefore, that paleoclimatic models may fail to detect refugia in the Southern Atlantic Forest, and that model organisms with low dispersal capability can improve the resolution of these models.

}, doi = {10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.02220.x}, url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.02220.x/abstract}, author = {Marta {\'A}lvarez-Presas and Carbayo, Fernando and Julio Rozas and Marta Riutort} } @article {154, title = {Land planarians (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Geoplanidae) from the Iberian Peninsula: new records and description of two new species, with a discussion on ecology}, journal = {Journal of Natural History}, volume = {45}, number = {15\&16}, year = {2011}, pages = {869 - 891}, chapter = {869}, doi = {10.1080/00222933.2010.536267}, url = {http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/539097_788671212_935776938.pdf}, author = {Miquel Vila-Farr{\'e} and Ronald Sluys and Mateos, Eduardo and Hugh D. Jones and Rafael Romero} }