Tracking the diversity of the flatworm genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Imbira</Emphasis> (Platyhelminthes) in the Atlantic Forest

The genus Imbira Carbayo et al., 2013 encompasses two species, Imbira guaiana (Leal-Zanchet & Carbayo, 2001) and Imbira marcusi Carbayo et al., 2013, which occur in south Brazil, in areas originally covered by the Atlantic Forest. In the present study, we examine the genetic diversity within the genus, investigate the occurrence of molecular autapomorphies for its species and describe a new species for the genus based on an integrative approach. The Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses based on DNA barcoding recovered the monophyly of the genus Imbira, but indicate that specimens representing I. marcusi correspond to five distinct lineages. These analyses, as well as sequence divergence data, revealed that the new species herein described is closely related to I. guaiana and that the specific status of specimens of I. marcusi available in GenBank should be reviewed. In addition, sequence analysis revealed 32 molecular autapomorphies for all independent evolutionary units within the genus. The new species described herein seems to be endemic to its type locality, a private area without legal protection.