A study in PeerJ reveals that dogs and cats are transporting an invasive flatworm species across gardens in France. Researchers analyzed over 12 years of citizen science data and found the worm attached to pet fur. This discovery highlights a new pathway for the slow-moving invader's dispersal.
Land-dwelling flatworms, known as Platyhelminthes, typically expand their range through human activities like gardening and plant trade. However, their slow movement raised questions about how they appear in nearby gardens without new plants. A research team addressed this by examining more than 12 years of observations from citizen science programs throughout France.
The study, published in PeerJ, was conducted by Jean-Lou Justine from the Institute of Systematics, Evolution and Biodiversity at the French National Museum of Natural History, in collaboration with Leigh Winsor from James Cook University in Australia. Their analysis identified household pets as carriers. In several instances, flatworms were found clinging to the fur of dogs and cats, facilitating transport between locations.
Among the approximately 10 invasive flatworm species in France, only Caenoplana variegata was associated with this pet-mediated spread. This species produces sticky mucus, linked to its predatory diet on arthropods, which helps it adhere to fur. Additionally, Caenoplana variegata can reproduce asexually, without a partner, enhancing its ability to establish populations after transport.
Researchers note that pets often travel long distances annually, suggesting this mechanism could contribute to the global dissemination of certain invasive flatworms. The findings underscore the role of domestic animals in invasive species dynamics, based on data from Geoplanidae family flatworms.
