Australoplana Explained

Australoplana also known as Australian flatworm is a genus of land planarians from Australia and New Zealand.

Description

The genus Australoplana is characterized by having an elongated, strap-like body that is broadly convex dorsally and flat ventrally. The creeping sole occupies less than 25% of the body with. The eyes are absent or minute and arranged along the body margins in a single row from the anterior to the posterior end. The parenchymal longitudinal musculature is very weak or absent. The copulatory apparatus has an intra-antral penis papilla in some species and the ovovitelline ducts enter the female atrium ventrally.^[1]

Invasive species

Australoplana sanguinea is an invasive alien species in England and Wales where it predates on earthworms. ^[2]

Etymology

The name Australoplana comes from Latin australis, southern + plana, flat.

Species

The genus Australoplana includes the following species:

• Australoplana alba
• Australoplana minor (Dendy, 1892)
• Australoplana rubicunda (Fletcher & Hamilton, 1888)
• Australoplana sanguinea (Moseley, 1877)
• Australoplana typhlops (Dendy, 1894)

Notes and References

1. A provisional classification of Australian terrestrial geoplanid flatworms (Tricladida: Terricola: Geoplanidae). Victorian Naturalist. 108. 2. 42–49. 1991. Winsor . L. . BHL
2. Web site: Australian, New Zealand and other flatworms. Royal Horticultural Society. 3 February 2020. 2020.