03688nas a2200289 4500008004100000020001400041245017000055210006900225260001500294300001000309490000600319520277400325653001403099653002003113653001103133653002703144653001903171653003203190653002003222100002203242700001803264700001803282700001703300700002303317700001903340856003903359 2018 eng d a2167-835900aGiant worms chez moi! Hammerhead flatworms (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae, Bipalium spp., Diversibipalium spp.) in metropolitan France and overseas French territories0 aGiant worms chez moi Hammerhead flatworms Platyhelminthes Geopla c2018/05/22 ae46720 v63 aBackground 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 ‘black’ 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 Barthélemy, and Montserrat (Central America), and La Réunion island (off South-East Africa). For B. vagum, observations include French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Montserrat, La Réunion, and Florida (USA). A probable new species, Diversibipalium sp. ‘blue,’ is reported from Mayotte Island (off South–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–west France, a small area located in the Department of Pyrénées-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. 10aBarcoding10aCitizen science10aFrance10aInvasive alien species10aLand planarian10aOverseas French territories10aPlatyhelminthes1 aJustine, Jean-Lou1 aWinsor, Leigh1 aGey, Delphine1 aGros, Pierre1 aThévenot, Jessica1 aRiutort, Marta uhttps://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.467203549nas a2200433 4500008004100000020001400041245015600055210006900211260001500280300001000295490000600305520225600311653001802567653001302585653002102598653002102619653001902640653001802659653001602677653001402693653001902707653000802726100002202734700001802756700002302774700001902797700001802816700002602834700003202860700003002892700002302922700002102945700002202966700002402988700002303012700002103035700002003056856003903076 2015 eng d a2167-835900aThe invasive land planarian Platydemus manokwari (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae): records from six new localities, including the first in the USA0 ainvasive land planarian iPlatydemus manokwarii Platyhelminthes G c2015/06/23 ae10370 v33 a

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. 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.

10aAlien species10aFlatworm10aFrench Polynesia10aInvasive species10aLand planarian10aNew Caledonia10aPuerto Rico10aSingapore10aSolomon Island10aUSA1 aJustine, Jean-Lou1 aWinsor, Leigh1 aBarrière, Patrick1 aFanai, Crispus1 aGey, Delphine1 aHan, Andrew, Wee Kien1 aLa Quay-Velázquez, Giomara1 aLee, Benjamin, Paul Yi-Ha1 aLefevre, Jean-Marc1 aMeyer, Jean-Yves1 aPhilippart, David1 aRobinson, David, G.1 aThévenot, Jessica1 aTsatsia, Francis1 aBuckley, Hannah uhttps://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.103700537nas a2200157 4500008004100000245009400041210006900135260001200204490000600216100002700222700002000249700001900269700002000288700001900308856005200327 2014 eng d00aDiversity of introduced terrestrial flatworms in the Iberian Peninsula: a cautionary tale0 aDiversity of introduced terrestrial flatworms in the Iberian Pen c06/20140 v21 aÁlvarez-Presas, Marta1 aMateos, Eduardo1 aTudó, Àngels1 aJones, Hugh, D.1 aRiutort, Marta uhttps://continenticola.myspecies.info/node/117202846nas a2200169 4500008004100000245012800041210006900169300000900238490000600247520228300253100002502536700001802561700001802579700001702597700002302614856003902637 2014 eng d00aThe invasive New Guinea flatworm Platydemus manokwari in France, the first record for Europe: time for action is now0 ainvasive New Guinea flatworm iPlatydemus manokwarii in France th ae2970 v23 a

Non-indigenous terrestrial flatworms (Platyhelminthes) have been recorded in thirteen European countries. They include Bipalium kewense and Dolichoplana striata that are largely restricted to hothouses and may be regarded as non-invasive species. In addition there are species from the southern hemisphere such as the invasive New Zealand flatworm Arthurdendyus triangulatus in the United Kingdom, Eire and the Faroe Islands, the Australian flatworm Australoplana sanguinea alba in Eire and the United Kingdom, and the Australian Blue Garden flatworm Caenoplana coerulea in France, Menorca and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has some twelve or more non-indigenous species most of which are Australian and New Zealand species. These species may move to an invasive stage when optimum environmental and other conditions occur, and the flatworms then have the potential to cause economic or environmental harm. In this paper, we report the identification (from morphology and molecular analysis of COI sequences) of non-indigenous terrestrial flatworms found in a hothouse in Caen (France) as the New Guinea flatworm Platydemus manokwari de Beauchamp, 1963 (Platyhelminthes, Continenticola, Geoplanidae, Rhynchodeminae). Platydemus manokwari is among the “100 World’s Worst Invader Alien Species”. Lists of World geographic records, prey in the field and prey in laboratories of P. manokwari are provided. This species is considered a threat to native snails wherever it is introduced. The recent discovery of P. manokwari in France represents a significant extension of distribution of this Invasive Alien Species from the Indo-Pacific region to Europe. If it escaped the hothouse, the flatworm might survive winters and become established in temperate countries. The existence of this species in France requires an early warning of this incursion to State and European Union authorities, followed by the eradication of the flatworm in its locality, tightening of internal quarantine measures to prevent further spread of the flatworm to and from this site, identifying if possible the likely primary source of the flatworm, and tracing other possible incursions that may have resulted from accidental dispersal of plants and soil from the site.

1 aJustine​, Jean-Lou1 aWinsor, Leigh1 aGey, Delphine1 aGros, Pierre1 aThévenot, Jessica uhttps://peerj.com/articles/297.pdf