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Surface movement rates of the New Zealand flatworm Artioposthia triangulata : potential for spread by active migration
Author(s) -
MATHER JANICE G.,
CHRISTENSEN OLE M.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1995.tb05390.x
Subject(s) - flatworm , biology , ecology , zoology
SUMMARY Movement rates for the surface activity of the New Zealand flatworm Artioposthia triangulata (Dendy) (Tricladida: Terricola) were estimated under semi‐field conditions in the Faroe Islands. The distance travelled during 10 consecutive 1‐minute periods per individual was measured from mucus trails left behind as the flatworms moved over black plastic sheeting sprayed with fine droplets of water. Adult specimens were found to crawl at rates of up to 28 cm min ‐1 (almost 17m h ‐1 ), whereas juveniles crawled at rates of between 3 and 4cm min ‐1 (approximately 2m h ‐1 ). This study provides the first data concerning the potential for species spread by active migration.