Further Field Studies on Freshwater Planarians of Tennessee (Turbellaria: Tricladida): II. Middle Tennessee

Abstract

A field survey was conducted principally during the summers of 1980 through 1982 in all 39 counties and both physiographic provinces of middle Tennessee. Eight species of planarians, representing 4 families, were found in 26 counties and at 124 sites: 60 in the Central Basin province and 64 in the Highland Rim province. Dugesia tigrina occurred at more sites (31) than any other species and was most often in the Central Basin. Dugesia dorotocephala and Cura foremanii were found in 26 and 19 sites, respectively, and were about equally distributed between the 2 provinces. Phagocata gracilis occurred at 18 sites, and more of these sites (16) were in the Highland Rim. Of 16 sites for P. morgani, 1/2 were springs located mostly in the Highland Rim. P. velata occupied 10 sites, all in the Central Basin. New records for Procotyla fluviatilis were established at 2 sites in the Highland Rim. Sphalloplana chandleri, a cave planarian, occurred at 2 sites, 1 in each province. Triclads were abundant (50-100 in 20 min or less) or very abundant (> 100) at 7 sites: one site each for D. dorotocephala and D. trigrina, and 2 sites for Phagocata gracilis, all in the Highland Rim; and, 1 site each for D. dorotocephala, D. tigrina, and P. velata, all in the Central Basin. Data on water temperature, calcium, pH and substrate are included.