@article {1894, title = {Giant worms chez moi! Hammerhead flatworms (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae, Bipalium spp., Diversibipalium spp.) in metropolitan France and overseas French territories}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {6}, year = {2018}, month = {2018/05/22}, pages = {e4672}, abstract = {Background Species of the genera Bipalium and Diversibipalium, or bipaliines, are giants among land planarians (family Geoplanidae), reaching length of 1 m; they are also easily distinguished from other land flatworms by the characteristic hammer shape of their head. Bipaliines, which have their origin in warm parts of Asia, are invasive species, now widespread worldwide. However, the scientific literature is very scarce about the widespread repartition of these species, and their invasion in European countries has not been studied. Methods In this paper, on the basis of a four year survey based on citizen science, which yielded observations from 1999 to 2017 and a total of 111 records, we provide information about the five species present in Metropolitan France and French overseas territories. We also investigated the molecular variability of cytochrome-oxidase 1 (COI) sequences of specimens. Results Three species are reported from Metropolitan France: Bipalium kewense, Diversibipalium multilineatum, and an unnamed Diversibipalium {\textquoteleft}black{\textquoteright} species. We also report the presence of B. kewense from overseas territories, such as French Polynesia (Oceania), French Guiana (South America), the Caribbean French islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barth{\'e}lemy, and Montserrat (Central America), and La R{\'e}union island (off South-East Africa). For B. vagum, observations include French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth{\'e}lemy, Saint Martin, Montserrat, La R{\'e}union, and Florida (USA). A probable new species, Diversibipalium sp. {\textquoteleft}blue,{\textquoteright} is reported from Mayotte Island (off South{\textendash}East Africa). B. kewense, B. vagum and D. multilineatum each showed 0\% variability in their COI sequences, whatever their origin, suggesting that the specimens are clonal, and that sexual reproduction is probably absent. COI barcoding was efficient in identifying species, with differences over 10\% between species; this suggests that barcoding can be used in the future for identifying these invasive species. In Metropolitan south{\textendash}west France, a small area located in the Department of Pyr{\'e}n{\'e}es-Atlantiques was found to be a hot-spot of bipaliine biodiversity and abundance for more than 20 years, probably because of the local mild weather. Discussion The present findings strongly suggest that the species present in Metropolitan France and overseas territories should be considered invasive alien species. Our numerous records in the open in Metropolitan France raise questions: as scientists, we were amazed that these long and brightly coloured worms could escape the attention of scientists and authorities in a European developed country for such a long time; improved awareness about land planarians is certainly necessary. }, keywords = {Barcoding, Citizen science, France, Invasive alien species, Land planarian, Overseas French territories, Platyhelminthes}, isbn = {2167-8359}, url = {https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4672}, author = {Justine,Jean-Lou and Winsor,Leigh and Gey,Delphine and Gros,Pierre and Th{\'e}venot,Jessica}, editor = {Riutort,Marta} } @article {1496, title = {The invasive land planarian Platydemus manokwari (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae): records from six new localities, including the first in the USA}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {3}, year = {2015}, month = {2015/06/23}, pages = {e1037}, abstract = {

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 Mar\é), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Puerto Rico, and Florida, USA. We analysed the COI gene (barcoding) in these specimens with two sets of primers and obtained 909 bp long sequences. In addition, specimens collected in Townsville (Australia) were also sequenced. Two haplotypes of the COI sequence, differing by 3.7\%, were detected: the \“World haplotype\” found in France, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Singapore, Florida and Puerto Rico; and the \“Australian haplotype\” found in Australia. The only locality with both haplotypes was in the Solomon Islands. The country of origin of Platydemus manokwari is New Guinea, and Australia and the Solomon Islands are the countries closest to New Guinea from which we had specimens. These results suggest that two haplotypes exist in the area of origin of the species, but that only one of the two haplotypes (the \“World haplotype\”) has, through human agency, been widely dispersed. However, since P. manokwari is now recorded from 22 countries in the world and we have genetic information from only 8 of these, with none from New Guinea, this analysis provides only partial knowledge of the genetic structure of the invasive species. Morphological analysis of specimens from both haplotypes has shown some differences in ratio of the genital structures but did not allow us to interpret the haplotypes as different species. 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.

}, keywords = {Alien species, Flatworm, French Polynesia, Invasive species, Land planarian, New Caledonia, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Solomon Island, USA}, isbn = {2167-8359}, url = {https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1037}, author = {Justine,Jean-Lou and Winsor,Leigh and Barri{\`e}re,Patrick and Fanai,Crispus and Gey,Delphine and Han,Andrew Wee Kien and La Quay-Vel{\'a}zquez,Giomara and Lee,Benjamin Paul Yi-Hann and Lefevre,Jean-Marc and Meyer,Jean-Yves and Philippart,David and Robinson,David G. and Th{\'e}venot,Jessica and Tsatsia,Francis}, editor = {Buckley,Hannah} }