Microplana scharffi is a species of free-living, terrestrial flatworm in the order Tricladida. It was first described in 1899 by the Austrian zoologist Ludwig von Graff.[1]
| Microplana scharffi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
| Order: | Tricladida |
| Family: | Geoplanidae |
| Genus: | Microplana |
| Species: | M. scharffi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Microplana scharffi (Graff, 1899)
| |
Description
editMicroplana scharffi, like all flatworms, is an unsegmented, soft-bodied bilaterian without a body cavity, and with no specialized circulatory or respiratory organs.[2] Like other members of the Geoplanidae, it is dorso-ventrally flattened and creeps along with the whole of its ventral surface in contact with the substrate. It is between 5 and 7 cm (2.0 and 2.8 in) in length. The colour is whitish; in UK, yellow and cream are the most abundant colours but other colours are found.[3]
Distribution
editMicroplana scharffi is native to Western Europe. It has been recorded in the UK and other countries of Europe including Belgium, Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy, Madeira Island and Turkey.[4]
Ecology and behavior
editThis flatworm is a carnivore, as all Geoplanidae. In UK, earthworms accounted for 87% of M. scharffi prey. [3]
Microplana scharffi can survive for long periods without food. One captive individual survived for 139 days, even laying a cocoon during this time.[3]
References
edit- ^ Jones, HughD.; Webster, BonnieL.; Littlewood, D. TimothyJ.; Mcdonald, Jillian C. (2008-11-28). "Molecular and morphological evidence for two new species of terrestrial planarians of the genus Microplana (Platyhelminthes; Turbellaria; Tricladida; Terricola) from Europe". Zootaxa. 1945 (1). Magnolia Press. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1945.1.1. ISSN 1175-5334.
- ^ Ruppert, Edward E.; Fox, Richard, S.; Barnes, Robert D. (2004). Invertebrate Zoology, 7th edition. Cengage Learning. pp. 227–232. ISBN 978-81-315-0104-7.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c McDonald, Jillian C.; Jones, Hugh D. (2007-03-26). "Abundance, reproduction, and feeding of three species of British terrestrial planarians: Observations over 4 years". Journal of Natural History. 41 (5–8). Informa UK Limited: 293–312. doi:10.1080/00222930701219149. ISSN 0022-2933.
- ^ Sluys, Ronald; Mateos, Eduardo; Riutort, Marta; Álvarez-presas, Marta (2016-01-02). "Towards a comprehensive, integrative analysis of the diversity of European microplaninid land flatworms (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Microplaninae), with the description of two peculiar new species". Systematics and Biodiversity. 14 (1). Informa UK Limited: 9–31. doi:10.1080/14772000.2015.1103323. ISSN 1477-2000.