Observations on food preference of Neotropical land planarians (Platyhelminthes), with emphasis on Obama anthropophila , and their phylogenetic diversification

ABSTRACT: The food preference of Obama anthropophila Amaral, Leal-Zanchet & Carbayo, 2015, a species that seems to be spreading across Brazil’s human-modified environments, was investigated. Extensive experiments led to the conclusion that the generalized diet of this species may have facilitated its dispersal. The analysis of 132 feeding records of 44 geoplaninid species revealed a tendency for closely related species to feed on individuals from similar taxonomic groups, suggesting that in this group behavioral evolution is more conserved than phylogenetic diversification.

摘要：本研究针对2015年由Amaral、Leal-Zanchet与Carbayo定名的嗜人奥巴马涡虫（Obama anthropophila Amaral, Leal-Zanchet & Carbayo, 2015）的食性偏好展开调查。该物种似乎正逐步扩散至巴西受人类活动改造的生境中。通过大量实验研究，团队得出结论：该物种的广谱食性可能促进了其种群扩散。研究团队对44种地扁虫（geoplaninid）物种的132条取食记录进行分析后发现，亲缘关系较近的物种更倾向于取食分类学地位相近的类群，这表明该类群的行为演化相较于系统发育分化更为保守。