Wandering Broadhead Planarian

Bipalium adventitium

"Bipalium adventitium", the wandering broadhead planarian, is a land planarian in the subfamily Bipaliinae. It has been accidentally introduced in the United States, where it is considered invasive.
Wandering Broadhead Planarian - Bipalium adventitium This is the first planarian that I have seen in nature and I was psyched to find it. Actually, there were two. I found them snuggling under a log.

Habitat: Mixed forest Bipalium,Bipalium adventitium,Geotagged,Spring,United States,planarian

Appearance

Most adult individuals of "B. adventitium" are 5–8 cm in length. The head is expanded and fan-shaped, being easily distinguishable from other common species of "Bipalium", such as "Bipalium kewense" and "Bipalium pennsylvanicum", because these have a head in the shape of a half moon. The body has a yellow to tan color and has one dark dorsal stripe that does not extend over the head.

Reproduction

Differently from "Bipalium kewense", which usually reproduces asexually by fission, "Bipalium adventitium" more commonly reproduces sexually. It is suggested that it has only one breeding season per year. As in most land planarians, mating occurs by internal fertilization when two individuals meet. The eggs are deposited in egg capsules and after about 3 weeks they release 1–6 juveniles.

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionPlatyhelminthes
ClassUnknown Class
OrderTricladida
FamilyGeoplanidae
GenusBipalium
SpeciesB. adventitium