Details
Identifications/Comments
Identification by geechartier at 2019-12-16 08:43:39
Identification by leigh_winsor at 2019-12-30 06:01:53
This is a very interesting specimen, as it sits between Bipalium kewense and Bipalium persephone. Like the former, it has five dorsal - dorsolateral stripes (though the median dorsal stripe is faint anteriorly), and like the latter has an intact black transverse band (collar) just below the headplate, and the white and black coloured crescents on the headplate. Both these species, like the specimen itself, are found in Cambodia.
Comment by geechartier at 2019-12-30 06:22:07
@leigh_winsor thank you
Identification by geechartier at 2019-12-30 06:22:08
Comment by geechartier at 2019-12-30 06:24:32
@leigh_winsor, it seems to be eating a fungus. Is that likely or is it more likely there is some invertebrate on the fungus that the worm is eating?
Comment by leigh_winsor at 2019-12-30 07:08:20
Land planarians are top level carnivores, and do not eat plants or fungi. The planarian in your photo appears to be resting, and the microhabitat is presumably just what it likes. Of course land planarians will eat fungivores such as snails that may come to feed on the fungus. On the other hand, the larvae of some species of mycetophilid flies can parasitise and devour planarians (the Tasmanian species Planivora insignis) !
Comment by geechartier at 2019-12-30 07:17:39
@leigh_winsor thank you, again
Comment by geechartier at 2019-12-30 08:56:41
@leigh_winsor in case it's of interest to you, the fungus was growing in the remains of a tree that has been severely damaged my carpenter ants. It has lots of nooks and crannies in which I have seen several types of invertebrates resting or hiding out (e.g. millipedes and beetles)
Comment by leigh_winsor at 2019-12-30 14:13:43
Sounds like a supermarket for land planarians - millipedes and beetles would be possible prey.
Identification by rivedvermiform at 2025-01-06 20:50:28
I'm peeking at this again for you, but Leigh Winsor as always is spot on with these! I believe this is more B. persephone than B. kewense given how many morphological similarities it has, but the posterior end being dark colored is incredibly interesting!
Identification by leigh_winsor at 2025-01-07 02:16:49
Given that my original comments and ID were made five years ago, I reviewed subsequent records, and agree that the specimen is probably B.persephone. The white crescent in the hind-headplate between the black collar and anterior headplate is characteristic of the species. Note that the posterior tip is white, and I suspect that the specimen could be reproducing asexually. The black pigmentation could reflect the morpholaxis that is happening during regeneration of the hind end that will include restoration of the dark stripe pattern.
Identification by geechartier at 2025-01-07 02:59:16
Comment by geechartier at 2025-01-07 02:59:59
@rivedvermiform, @leigh_winsor thank you