Three species of carnivorous flatworms have been discovered in Austria. As the House of the Sea announced on Wednesday, an accidental discovery at the Australian facility led to the discovery of the species “Caenoplana variegata” for the first time. The species finds its way to Europe mainly through the plant trade.
A study in collaboration with the Munich State Zoological Collection has already confirmed this first evidence for Austria in the form of three species from the genus so-called land planarians.
Spread possible via plant trade
According to information, carnivorous roundworms mainly reach Europe through the plant trade and are increasingly spreading there. Their toxic slime protects them from predators, while their prey such as maggots, snails and earthworms play a crucial role in a healthy soil ecosystem.
Land planarians also appear to be quite tough, as their body fragments can become complete animals due to their ability to regenerate. And thanks to their special digestion, they can even break down prey outside their bodies, according to the House of the Sea.
“The protection of species and the environment starts at your own front door. It is our responsibility to preserve the local flora and fauna – because many things migrate or become extinct without us noticing,” emphasizes Jeff Schreiner, the new zoo director of Haus des Meeres. To monitor the spread of planaria and to dams, a ‘citizen science project’ was called for. Suspicious sightings of these planarians must be reported by email with a photo and location.
Source: Krone
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
