Phylum Platyhelminthes Order Tricladida | Suborder Continenticola Genus Girardia Rank Species Higher classification Girardia | |
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Similar Dugesia, Girardia, Tricladida, Dugesiidae, Polycelis | ||
Girardia tigrina
Girardia tigrina is a species of dugesiid native to the Americas. It has been accidentally introduced into Europe and Japan.
Contents
Description
G. tigrina individuals are around 10 mm in length. They have a head with two broad and short auricles. The two eyes are in two pigment-free patches. The dorsal surface of the body has numerous pigment spots.
Distribution and ecology
Originally from the Americas, Girardia tigrina has become an invasive species in Europe and Japan. Since being first recorded in France in 1925, this species has been reported from many other European countries, including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and Wales.
In North Wales, this species has displaced the native triclad species Polycelis nigra and Polycelis tenuis due to its superior exploitation of food.
Diet
G. tigrina is a carnivorous species that feeds on invertebrates such as oligochaetes, isopods, chironomids, snails, caddisflies, and mayflies.
Karyology
The haploid number is n=8. There are diploid (2n=16) and triploid (3n=24) specimens.