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Platyhelminthes
Australoplana spp.
-37.8992, 145.311
Field Notes
Description:
When I upturned a rock in the garden there was a flattened pile of pale orange jelly. As it was suddenly exposed to the sun it came alive and turned out to be two geoplanarians. They quickly stretched out looking for darkness and moisture so I poured a little water onto the rock. They found their way down the wet trail into shade in about 30 seconds. Both were about 80mm long fully extended. The pointy end is the head... eyes at the other end !!
Habitat:
Under rocks in an outer urban back yard.
Notes:
"..a member of the Australoplana alba complex. The members of this group are characterized by a row of very small eyes that contour the anterior tip and pass along the lateral edge of the worm to the hind end. The members of the group are all strap like (dorso-ventrally flattened), tapering posteriorly towards an abruptly truncated hind end" ... "They are - for flatworms - fast moving carnivores that feed on earthworms and other soil and litter fauna. " - Dr Leigh Winsor.
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