Hidden Invader Puts Southeastern US Ecosystems at Risk

Hidden Invader Puts Southeastern US Ecosystems at Risk

The Southeastern US is facing a new ecological threat from an invasive flatworm species, Amaga pseudobama.

At a Glance

  • A new flatworm species, Amaga pseudobama, threatens Southeastern US ecosystems.
  • Initially mistaken for Obama nungara, DNA analysis identified it as a distinct species.
  • This species is native to South America and preys on local invertebrates.
  • Several specimens have been found in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
  • Concerns grow over its potential to disrupt local ecosystem balances.

Southeastern US Under Threat: Amaga pseudobama Invasion

The Southeastern United States faces a significant ecological threat with the discovery of the invasive flatworm species, Amaga pseudobama. Found predominantly in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, this flatworm was initially mistaken for Obama nungara. However, DNA analysis has revealed it to be a distinct species with potentially severe implications for local ecosystems.

This flatworm species, native to South America, thrives in moist soils and subsists on native invertebrates such as earthworms, snails, and slugs. Its presence in the Southern US highlights the challenges in managing invasive species that can disrupt ecological balance significantly. Ongoing research aims to delineate the differences between Amaga pseudobama and other visually similar invasive flatworms.

Discovery and Identification

The species was first identified in North Carolina in 2020, as reported in a PeerJ journal paper. Researchers initially believed the specimens belonged to the species *Obama nungara*. A subsequent molecular analysis, however, confirmed it as a separate species entirely. The flatworm has been positively identified in additional specimens collected from Georgia and Florida, the latter dating back to 2015.

Transport mechanisms are under scrutiny as researchers believe the invasion likely began more than ten years ago, possibly through imported potted plants from South America. The ability of land flatworms to survive in the soil of potted plants for weeks facilitates long-distance habitation and migration.

Ecological Impact and Control Measures

The carnivorous nature of terrestrial flatworms, including *Amaga pseudobama*, raises concerns about their impact on local ecosystems. These flatworms prey on native invertebrates that play crucial roles in maintaining soil health and balance. The introduction of such a predator can significantly alter the ecological dynamics of the region.

“All land flatworms are predators of other animals living on or in the soil. Some of these soil animals are important to the ecology of soils, and thus the addition of a predator can alter the balance of the ecosystem,” says Jean-Lou Justine, a parasitologist and professor at Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris.

Identifying and controlling invasive species like *Amaga pseudobama* is challenging due to their resemblance to other flatworm species and their asexual reproduction capabilities. Hammerhead flatworms, for instance, have been notoriously difficult to control due to similar regenerative abilities.​

Sources:

  1. https://www.newsweek.com/invasive-species-flatworm-florida-georgia-north-carolina-1958023
  2. https://www.miragenews.com/new-predatory-flatworm-found-in-southeast-us-1323289/
  3. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1058484
  4. https://www.americanscientist.org/article/invasion-of-the-flatworms
  5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/05/01/hammerhead-worms-ontario-how-to-kill/
  6. https://www.oleantimesherald.com/news/state-union-hammerheads-the-garden-variety-pose-a-threat-to-earthworms/article_e624b19a-5f26-11ef-8cc5-bfeaa0b6423c.html
  7. https://tsusinvasives.org/home/database/bipalium-kewense
  8. https://eastland.agrilife.org/invasive-hammerhead-flatworms/
  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8815365/
  10. https://peerj.com/articles/1037/

 

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