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Worms Hitch Rides on Pets, Invade Europe!
10 Feb
Summary
- Invasive flatworms use pets as transport to spread across Europe.
- These worms can reach up to 7.8 inches and secrete sticky mucus.
- While harmless to pets, they threaten native insects and soil.
European pet owners are being alerted to the presence of invasive flatworms hitching rides on their animals. Researchers from the French National Museum of Natural History have identified that these invasive species, some reaching up to 7.8 inches, are spreading by attaching to pet fur. The worms secrete a sticky mucus, aiding their attachment.
While the flatworms themselves are not a threat to pets, their impact on local ecosystems is a significant concern. They can cause damage to native insect populations and disrupt soil environments. This discovery challenges previous assumptions that plant transport was the primary method of spread for these creatures.
This mode of transport, involving millions of domestic animals traveling vast distances annually, is now considered a key factor in the invasion's success. The researchers emphasize that this phenomenon could be occurring in other continents where the worm is present, highlighting the need for vigilance among pet owners globally.
