PeerJ has a study revealing how one the planet’s most invasive species has wormed its way into – of course – Florida:
The land planarian Platydemus manokwari de Beauchamp, 1963 or “New Guinea flatworm” is a highly invasive species, mainly in the Pacific area, and recently in Europe (France). We report specimens from six additional countries and territories: New Caledonia (including mainland and two of the Loyalty Islands, Lifou and Maré), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Puerto Rico, and Florida, USA.
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The new reports from Florida and Puerto Rico are firsts for the USA, for the American continent, and the Caribbean. P. manokwari is a known threat for endemic terrestrial molluscs and its presence is a matter of concern. While most of the infected territories reported until now were islands, the newly reported presence of the species in mainland US in Florida should be considered a potential major threat to the whole US and even the Americas.
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Yes, the word “infected” was used.
The main problem with these guys is that they eat lots of snails… and the critters that would be eating those snails don’t eat the worms. That means a lot of starving birds… and mice… and snakes… and lizards….
[via SoMuchScience.tumblr.com]