The infestation has gone underreported for nearly two decades and poses a threat to fauna, according to researchers.
"They (the hammerhead flatworms) weren't hidden, they were very visible".
Invasive flatworms up to 40 centimeters long have been found in France, but it seems they've been around for some time, The Washington Post reports.
The worms are part of a group of predatory species known as hammerhead flatworms, which grow to over a foot long. Though the worms were first spotted decades ago, this is the first study to investigate the extent of their invasion and to question what it might mean for the ecosystems that they overrun. When bits of them are amputated, these bits can regrow into complete worms - even from snipped-off fragments that represent 1/300th of the worm's body.
Flat earthworms (Plathelminthes), which travel from continent to continent with the help of plants are normally no more than 5 centimeters long; there exist, however, big T-headed worms, so-called Bipalium worms (Bipalium et Diversibipalium), frequently referred to as horror movie creatures. A total of 111 observations of the hammerhead flatworms were made between 1999 and 2017 alone, many of which were made in the south of France where conditions were both humid and temperate enough for the exotic worms to survive.
Flatworms can be introduced to foreign habitats as soil stowaways in global plant shipments, the scientists reported in the new study. Scientists, shocked by recent photographs of hammerhead flatworms crawling around French gardens, put out a public call for additional sightings.
Throughout the course of the study, the team identified five species of alien worms in France and French overseas territories.
Tiahleigh Palmer Murder: Foster Father Sentenced
On the day of Joshua's release, Tiahleigh's biological mother Cindy slammed his freedom on her Facebook page #Justice4Tiahleigh. He said Thorburn "feigned concern and even assisted in the search of the child after she had been reported missing to police".
Teething gels pose 'serious risk' to babies, FDA warns
Do Teething Babies Need Medicine on Their Gums? Benzocaine is marketed as a pain reliever for babies who are teething. FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a release there are "no demonstrated benefits" from the benzocaine products.
Oregon Couple Unplugs Alexa After Private Conversation Is Recorded
Previously Alexa and Echo speakers were in the news for laughing randomly, even when no particular command was given. In a statement, Amazon said, "We investigated what happened and determined this was an extremely rare occurrence ".
One of the species, found on Mayotte, a French island off the African East Coast, is named "blue" due to its glittery turquoise appearance.
Biologists are warning about an invasion of giant predatory worms in French territories across four continents.
One reason the giant flatworm species reported in the study are such successful invaders is that they reproduce asexually, which enables a single individual to produce many offspring immediately, Justine told Live Science.
"Another reason is the absence of predators", Justine told LiveScience via email. They prey on earthworms in the soil and produce a potent cocktail of chemicals to immobilize their prey.
Because hammerhead worms hunt and eat earthworms, they can potentially disrupt native biodiversity and ecological balance.
The findings were published online today (May 22) in the journal PeerJ.
Recommended News
-
Customs plan 'could leave United Kingdom business £20bn worse off'
However, they also claim the bill is a settlement for liabilities accrued as a member and has nothing to do with the future relationship.Prince Harry's Ex-Girlfriend Cressida Bonas Breaks Silence On Royal Wedding
Giada Lubomirski and photographer Alexi Lubomirski arrive at the royal wedding . "Last weekend I attended the royal wedding ". Davy has previously spoken about struggling with the spotlight while she dated Harry.White House: North Korea 'stood us up'
The U.S. announcement came not long after Kim appeared to make good on his promise to demolish his country's nuclear test site. Kim might well take offense at the hardnosed USA approach after he released American detainees and destroyed a nuclear site. -
Dutch, Australia name Russian Federation as behind MH17 downing
The US, the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation also urged Moscow to accept responsibility for the disaster. He told reporters gathered for a press conference in Utrecht that "the 53rd Brigade forms part of the Russian armed forces".Show patience, goodwill, China tells US, North Korea after Trump cancels summit
A self-professed master negotiator, Trump could envision Nobel laurels in the offing of the unprecedented one-on-one meeting. The two also have deep emotional ties; Chinese troops fought side-by-side with North Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War.Harvey Weinstein Finally Surrenders to Authorities on Sex Crime Charges
Weinstein, 66, stepped from a black SUV and walked slowly into a Manhattan police station before a crowd of news cameras. Weinstein was charged with rape and a criminal sex act as well as lower-level sex abuse and sexual misconduct charges. -
Bystander shoots, kills Oklahoma restaurant shooter who injured 4 people
The suspected shooter was confronted outside the restaurant by a bystander with a pistol, Oklahoma City police said. Another man suffered an injury to his arm as he reportedly tried to run from the restaurant following the shooting.SA man guilty over wife's near-death parachute fall in England
A day before the jump, Emile Cilliers sabotaged his wife's parachute and then placed it in a locker so that only she would use it. Days before the jump, Cilliers caused a gas leak at their home by loosening a gas valve fitting in a kitchen cupboard.Kiev hotel prices soar ahead of Champions League final
Liverpool will play Real Madrid in the Champions League Final on May 26 at the Olympiyski stadium in Kiev. Ince has backed the Reds to beat Real, who will be hoping for a record third successive European title. -
Israeli Intel Minister Says US Will Soon Recognize Golan Annexation
Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile batteries destroyed four of the rockets and the rest exploded inside Syria, he said. Since its withdrawal, the U.S. has issued economic sanctions meant to punish Iran for funding armed proxy groups.Bringing petrol, diesel under GST will lower prices: Devendra Fadnavis
Various ministers of the opposition demanded a reduction in the excise duty and Value-Added Tax on petrol and diesel respectively. Rahul Gandhi took Twitor to urge Prime Minister Modi to take up the "fuel challenge" to decrease the skyrocketing fuel prices.Greek Court Grants Asylum to Turkish Soldier, Raising Tensions With Ankara
The soldiers have denied wrongdoing and say they fear for their lives. TRT World speaks to former ambassador to France, Uluc Ozulker .