![]() This worm poses a major threat to the planet’s snail biodiversity, according to an article published in the scientific journal PeerJ. It is listed on the top 100 worst invasive species list maintained by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which says it has been introduced in new areas in a “misguided” attempt to control another invasive creature, giant African land snails. It was also deliberately introduced into two Pacific islands in an attempt to control an invasion of the Giant East African Snail. The flatworm lives on the ground but is able to climb trees to eat native snails. ![]() It has a pale white belly, a mouth in the middle of the belly and an elongated head with two black eyes. The black-and-olive colored flatworm measures 50mm (two inches) long and five millimetres wide. Over the past few years, it has become established in a wide variety of habitats. Native to New Guinea, these flatworms eat a variety of invertebrates including land snails, and has had a significant negative impact on the rare endemic land snail fauna of some Pacific islands. ![]() The highly invasive New Guinea Flatworm, Platydemus manokwari, was found in Florida, USA, as announced by an international team of researchers on June 23 2015. Photograph by Makiri Sei.Ī worm which is one of the world’s “worst” invasive species has been found in the United States, Singapore and other countries for the first time! Platydemus manokwari in Coral Gables, Florida, USA. ![]()
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