A synopsis of the nominal species of the subgenus Dugesia (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Paludicola) from Africa and Madagascar

The species of the subgenus Dugesia in Africa and Madagascar are reviewed and their descriptions, where necessary, revised. Four new species are described; D. mirabilis from Kenya, D. didiaphragma from Zaïre, and D. debeauchampi and D. myopa both from Madagascar. Dugesia sicula is newly recorded for the region, but the records of D. gonocephala s.str. from Africa are invalidated. Dugesia congolensis, D. colapha, D. sudanica are species inquirendae. The distinction between D. astrocheta and D. sicula is obscure, while the separation of the latter from D. neumanni is difficult. A key to the species is provided.