Diversity of introduced terrestrial flatworms in the Iberian Peninsula : A cautionary tale
(2014) In PeerJ 2.- Abstract
Many tropical terrestrial planarians (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae) have been introduced around the globe. One of these species is known to cause significant decline in earthworm populations, resulting in a reduction of ecological functions that earthworms provide. Flatworms, additionally, are a potential risk to other species that have the same dietary needs. Hence, the planarian invasion might cause significant economic losses in agriculture and damage to the ecosystem. In the Iberian Peninsula only Bipalium kewenseMoseley, 1878 had been cited till 2007. Fromthat year on, four more species have been cited, and several reports of the presence of these animals in particular gardens have been received. In the present study we have: (1)... (More)
Many tropical terrestrial planarians (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae) have been introduced around the globe. One of these species is known to cause significant decline in earthworm populations, resulting in a reduction of ecological functions that earthworms provide. Flatworms, additionally, are a potential risk to other species that have the same dietary needs. Hence, the planarian invasion might cause significant economic losses in agriculture and damage to the ecosystem. In the Iberian Peninsula only Bipalium kewenseMoseley, 1878 had been cited till 2007. Fromthat year on, four more species have been cited, and several reports of the presence of these animals in particular gardens have been received. In the present study we have: (1) analyzed the animals sent by non-specialists and also the presence of terrestrial planarians in plant nurseries and garden centers; (2) identified their species through morphological and phylogenetic molecular analyses, including representatives of their areas of origin; (3) revised their dietary sources and (4) used Species DistributionModeling (SDM) for one species to evaluate the risk of its introduction to natural areas. The results have shown the presence of at least ten species of alien terrestrial planarians, fromall its phylogenetic range. International plant trade is the source of these animals, and many garden centers are acting as reservoirs. Also, landscape restoration to reintroduce autochthonous plants has facilitated their introduction close to natural forests and agricultural fields. In conclusion, there is a need to take measures on plant trade and to have special care in the treatment of restored habitats.
(Less)
- author
- Álvarez-Presas, Marta ; Mateos, Eduardo ; Tudó, Àngels LU ; Jones, Hugh and Riutort, Marta
- publishing date
- 2014
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- keywords
- Alien species, Habitat restoration, Molecular identification, Platyhelminthes, Soil fauna, Tricladida
- in
- PeerJ
- volume
- 2
- article number
- e430
- pages
- 35 pages
- publisher
- PeerJ
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:84903827260
- ISSN
- 2167-8359
- DOI
- 10.7717/peerj.430
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- id
- 28523013-8360-450e-8ee7-b9b99c87d34e
- date added to LUP
- 2024-07-09 13:12:02
- date last changed
- 2024-08-13 12:17:44
@article{28523013-8360-450e-8ee7-b9b99c87d34e,
abstract = {{<p>Many tropical terrestrial planarians (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae) have been introduced around the globe. One of these species is known to cause significant decline in earthworm populations, resulting in a reduction of ecological functions that earthworms provide. Flatworms, additionally, are a potential risk to other species that have the same dietary needs. Hence, the planarian invasion might cause significant economic losses in agriculture and damage to the ecosystem. In the Iberian Peninsula only Bipalium kewenseMoseley, 1878 had been cited till 2007. Fromthat year on, four more species have been cited, and several reports of the presence of these animals in particular gardens have been received. In the present study we have: (1) analyzed the animals sent by non-specialists and also the presence of terrestrial planarians in plant nurseries and garden centers; (2) identified their species through morphological and phylogenetic molecular analyses, including representatives of their areas of origin; (3) revised their dietary sources and (4) used Species DistributionModeling (SDM) for one species to evaluate the risk of its introduction to natural areas. The results have shown the presence of at least ten species of alien terrestrial planarians, fromall its phylogenetic range. International plant trade is the source of these animals, and many garden centers are acting as reservoirs. Also, landscape restoration to reintroduce autochthonous plants has facilitated their introduction close to natural forests and agricultural fields. In conclusion, there is a need to take measures on plant trade and to have special care in the treatment of restored habitats.</p>}},
author = {{Álvarez-Presas, Marta and Mateos, Eduardo and Tudó, Àngels and Jones, Hugh and Riutort, Marta}},
issn = {{2167-8359}},
keywords = {{Alien species; Habitat restoration; Molecular identification; Platyhelminthes; Soil fauna; Tricladida}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{PeerJ}},
series = {{PeerJ}},
title = {{Diversity of introduced terrestrial flatworms in the Iberian Peninsula : A cautionary tale}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.430}},
doi = {{10.7717/peerj.430}},
volume = {{2}},
year = {{2014}},
}