An Australian flatworm in town
The first record of a land planarian species Parakontikia ventrolineata from Italy, Aosta Valley and Latium region, set in a new publication, sparks concern about soil biodiversity. P. ventrolineata was already present in Europe, and genetic analysis from the specimen confirmed a high similarity with individuals collected in France.
Among successful invaders, land flatworms include more than 900 species, which mostly live in moist soils of tropical forests, although some species are also native to Europe.
Some species are reported as voracious ones, potentially affecting populations of native invertebrate species (snails, slugs, earthworms, and even other planarians) by predation and in several cases strongly affecting local ecosystems and human health. Parakontikia ventrolineata, in particular, affects strawberries.
Other species of alien land planarians had previously been recorded in Italy in a 2022 work, availing of Citizen Science and, where possible, a genetic identification.
Many places in the world have been invaded by land flatworm species, accidentally stowed away in the soil of imported ornamental plants. For this reason preventing their introduction is important but is at the same time very difficult, so early warning and rapid eradication is the best option to avoid their spread.
Alien flatworms are present and quite spread, e.g. in UK and in France, and attention should be paid to the transport of soil, to avoid further spread.
Raising awareness and citizens’ engagement is extremely important: in this context we highlight the recently launched Citizen Science project FlatwormWatch in Belgium supporting the implementation of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species, which lists one alien flatworm as of Union concern. This project aims to elucidate which species of non-native terrestrial flatworms are already present in Belgium with the help of citizens. Volunteers will actively look for this hidden species group in different places such as gardens or greenhouses. You can help mapping this group of animals and protect our native soil fauna!