Florida UNIVERSITÀRIA...Florida UNIVERSITÀRIA slG association
Platydemus manokwari, in Florida · 2018. 1. 17. · Tim Collins, Department of Biological...
Transcript of Platydemus manokwari, in Florida · 2018. 1. 17. · Tim Collins, Department of Biological...
Tim Collins, Department of Biological SciencesFlorida International University
Alície Warren, Conservation and Restoration BiologistMiami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department
New Guinea flatworm, Platydemus manokwari, in Florida: Status and Threats to Native Land Snails
What is Platydemus manokwari?
Shinji Sugiura, Ogasawara Islands Japan
Recognizing Platydemus flatworms
Leigh Winsor
eyespotssnout
“D” shaped in cross-section
Size
Justine et al. PeerJ 2015
Appearance and Reproduction
Justine et al. PeerJ 2015 New Caledonia, Cocoon photo by Leigh Winsor
Egg capsules called cocoons
Pair of Platydemus flatworms at Kingman preserve (Redlands, FL) that appear to be mating (parallel, stacked)
Eye spots and snout
Feeding & Prey
Justine et al. PeerJ 2014
Concerns regarding Platydemus flatworms:
• In other regions where introduced, it is considered the cause of extinction and/or dramatic decline of native species, particularly snails (e.g. Cowie, 2008)
• Is considered one of the World’s 100 worst invasive species (Global invasive Species Database)
• Can carry Angiostrongylus (rat lungworm disease), which infects humans
First report of Platydemus manokwari
Travels of Platydemus manokwari
Justine et al. PeerJ 2015
How is Platydemus spreading?• Reported rate of natural dispersal limited, between 30 (Winsor, 1990) and 180 Meters per year (Muniappan, 1987) over suitable habitat/conditions.• Other routes are accidental or intentional introduction.
Platydemus flatworms reported in South Florida, January 2015
CastellowHammock Preserve
Castellow-Ross Hammock Preserve Complex in South Miami-Dade County
Castellow 33 Preservein August / September 2015
Sample of +300 Liguus sp. and other snails from Platydemus flatworm feeding aggregations in
Castellow 33 Preserve August-September 2015
Alície Warren
Genetic Analysis confirms ID of Platydemus manokwarifrom Castellow 33, south Miami-Dade, West Palm
Beach and Sanibel Island.
Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands Preserve Nearby:
Continued Monitoring of Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands Preserve:
Tim Collins
Different Color Morphs
Tim Collins
Tim Collins
Tim Collins
Tim Collins
Tim Collins
Tim Collins
July 16th 2017: Reported Range for Platydemus flatworms in Florida - Greatly Expanded Since 2015
Coming to Your Neighborhood?(or maybe already there)
Tim Collins
2017 Monitoring Surveys
Tim Collins
Tim Collins
Recent Kills of Tree Snails Continue
Tim Collins
• Seeing fewer snails than you used to?
• Search in warm moist conditions -after rain ideal.
• A full 1-4 hours after dark best, but can be found during the day (moist places, early morning rains, etc.).
• In leaf litter, under/around rocks logs, tree trunks, i.e. where there are snails.
If you think you have one, let us know! [email protected] or [email protected].
Wondering if you’ve got Platydemus flatworms?
Priorities: What Needs to be Done• Determine full extent and continuity of Platydemus flatworm range, especially
near natural areas with diverse snail faunas, including Liguus and Orthalicus spp. and other at risk species.
- Establish monitoring/bait stations in sensitive natural areas- Develop other rapid methods of assaying presence of Platydemus (e.g. Dogs)- Check Platydemus populations for presence of parasites/pathogens.
• Assay population health of Liguus and Orthalicus spp. in natural areas:– Determine specific south Florida natural areas at high risk for invasion by Platydemus flatworms (e.g, areas
in EVER, BICY, BNP, Fakahatchee, Panther NWR, 10,000 islands, MDC PNAs, etc.) (from regular heavy public visitation, areas of current/proposed restoration including new planting installations and/or use of heavy equipment, and/or frequent vehicle/contractor traffic, etc.)
– Determine Protected Natural Areas with unaffected colonies of native tree snails where invasion possibilities by Platydemus flatworms could be minimized.
• Determine precise human-mediated mechanisms of spread and intervene if possible (e.g. Phytosanitary measures).
• Halt movement of plants / soil etc. from infected areas to uninfected natural areas
Acknowledgements:• Support from: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Wildlife
Impact Management Section
• Sarah Funck, Jason Wagman, David Cook, Jim Duquesnel, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Andrew Derksen, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey -South Florida Region
• Eduardo Salcedo, Natural Areas Management Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
• Alex Salcedo, TERRA Environmental Research Institute, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
• Mary Yong Cong, Science GALS Program Miami, Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Any Questions?