new zealand flatworm adaptations

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Malone has a Bachelor of Science in technical management with an emphasis in biology from DeVry University. Samples should be marked for the attention of Dr Brian Boag, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA and sightings can also be reported to the same address or by email to

Both … New Zealand flatworms are usually found during the day, often curled up like a Swiss roll, under pieces of wood, stone or polythene lying on bare earth. Native to New Zealand, it was found outside its natural habitat in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1963 (Ministry of Agriculture, Northern Ireland, 1963, 1964).The species is harmful because it is a predator of earthworms and a decline in earthworms could reduce soil fertility and earthworm-feeding wildlife. Research in Scotland has shown that while all native earthworms are eaten by the New Zealand flatworm the large anecic species such as They are relatively flat compared with earthworms, are pointed at both ends and covered with a sticky mucus.

The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. Parasitic adaptations The parasitic flatworms, the trematodes and cestodes, have undergone profound adaptations to suit their parasitic mode of life. Then the flatworms release the fertilized eggs, or zygotes, into the water, where they hatch.Using the basic process of cell division, flatworms are able to regenerate missing pieces of their bodies. Once established there are no known ways of eradicating the New Zealand flatworm hence it is very important to stop its spread. Some species are microscopic, while others may be as long as 164 feet. The New Zealand Flatworm was introduced to Northern Ireland in the early 60’s. New Zealand flatworms are hermaphrodite with the reproductive opening on the ventral surface. A. triangulatus is a free-living terrestrial flatworm.

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The three main types of flatworms are free-living, flukes and tapeworms. She writes articles for business promotion and informational articles on various websites. Given the creature's flat body, even the innermost cells are close enough to the surface to receive oxygen and eliminate waste.Flatworms are hermaphrodites and have both male and female sexual reproductive organs. It’s purple-brown on top, and flat and pointed at both ends. Want to keep up to date with our research, news and events? A Scottish charitable company limited by guarantee. For the latest COVID-19 information, please use the When resting it coils up, is covered in mucus, and is about 1cm wide by 6cm long, although when extended it can be up to 30cm long. Copyright © 2020 The James Hutton Institute. Flatworms generally lose weight in summer but increase in weight in the autumn when earthworms are more numerous. This allows the flatworms to put their energy into reproduction.


The New Zealand flatworm continues to spread in Scotland but its detrimental impact on the environment and of below and above ground biodiversity is unknown. Observed births are usually through a spontaneous caesarean opening on the back of the flatworms which immediately heals over. A hydrostatic skeleton makes it easy for flatworms to adapt to aquatic life. All get their names from their characteristically flat bodies. Diffusion is where elements move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. In addition, flatworms have sensory cells on either side of the head. Without regeneration abilities, losing part of their bodies could be fatal.

They can vary in colour but usually have a dark brown upper surface with a lighter beige speckled border which extends to cover the ventral surface. Many of our native mammals (badgers, shrews, hedgehogs, moles etc.) The information presented here formed part of our previous areas of research.

There is evidence in Scotland the New Zealand flatworm spread form botanic gardens to nurseries and garden centres then to domestic gardens and only more recently to agricultural land. It is thought they feed by anaesthetising the earthworm extruding digestive enzymes and then sucking up the remaining “soup”. It is currently known from all 6 counties in Northern Ireland where it is generally concentrated around built up urban areas such as Belfast.

Parasitic flatworms protect themselves from the hosts' digestive liquids by developing teguments or coverings around their bodies.Maureen Malone started writing in 2008. All rights reserved.

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new zealand flatworm adaptations