Regenerative hammerhead creature found creeping through kitchen in Madagascar
In Madagascar's densely populated capital city of Antananarivo, a slender creature with a wide head and the ability to regenerate copies of itself should it be cut apart, wriggled its way through someone's kitchen.
The discovery of the nearly 10-inch-long Bipalium kewense — also known as the hammerhead flatworm — marked the first record of the highly invasive species in Madagascar, according to a May 21 study published in the journal Check List.
While attempting to collect the flatworm, it broke into three separate segments — a common behavior called fragmentation exhibited by the species.
It was eventually captured and removed from the country for further analysis, researchers said.
The species, native to Indochina, can reproduce asexually and has been inadvertently transported through the global plant trade, making it a highly successful colonizer, researchers said.
Despite being found in more than 78 countries around the world, it has scarcely been recorded in North Africa, according to the study.
Researchers said two iNaturalist entries from 2024 may have featured Bipalium kewense in areas south of Antananarivo, but those observations are unconfirmed.
According to the study, Bipalium kewense has also been confirmed for the first time in Egypt and South Africa.
The research team included Romain Gastineau, Andrianjaka Ravelomanana, Remondah Rushdy Ramzy, Marcel Koken, Suzelyce Eva Soavolamanoro, Christian Otis, Brian Boyle, Delphine Gey, Leigh Winsor and Jean-Lou Justine.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned after stumbling upon creature rarely seen in over a century: 'This raises a few questions'
Citizen scientists have made a rare and exciting discovery in Renishaw Hills, South Africa, according to the South Coast Herald. The group of locals identified a rare sable cruiser dragonfly. The phrase "citizen scientists" is used to describe community members who gather information on the local environment. In Renishaw Hills, 44 locals make up the group. Together, they created a project on the global iNaturalist platform, and for the past three years, they've been studying the wildlife and biodiversity in the Renishaw Coastal Precinct. "Citizen science opens the door to an advanced system where biodiversity observations may be made constantly across the globe and shared instantly via a vast network," citizen scientist Tim McClurg told the Herald. What makes the sighting of the sable cruiser dragonfly so impressive is the species' rarity. According to IOL, since its discovery in 1920, there have only been about 20 recorded sightings. By recording the sighting, the citizen scientists are documenting the species' geographic range. "The response was immediate and enthusiastic from our local group of experts, among them Peter Small, who confirmed it was a sable cruiser, which is incredibly rare, localised and vulnerable," McClurg added. The group has gathered a significant amount of data, making 13,863 observations spread across 1,796 species. With each new observation and recording, the group adds to its understanding of the region's biodiversity. The use of tools such as trail cameras can help document biodiversity and protect species. By learning more about the natural world through initiatives including citizen scientist projects, residents can better preserve the landscapes and wildlife of their areas. The sighting of the sable cruiser dragonfly sparked curiosity among fellow scientists and experts since it marked the southernmost location of the dragonfly. "This raises a few questions," McClurg said. "Has it always occurred here and simply been overlooked? Was it blown down in a storm? Is there a link with global warming? These are the questions that we may be able to answer with a vastly increased iNaturalist database." Moving forward, the citizen scientists are eager to learn more about the environment and contribute vital data that aids biologists across the globe. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Semi-aquatic predator found outside home in Brazil in first-of-its-kind sighting
On the outskirts of a town in northeastern Brazil, a semi-aquatic predator moved along the road near a house. The chance encounter turned out to be a first-of-its-kind sighting — and confirmation of an expert theory. Scientists received a report about a semi-aquatic snake found on the pavement of 'an urban area of the municipality of Areia, Paraíba,' in January, according to a study published May 21 in the peer-reviewed journal Check List. Intrigued by the accidental encounter, researchers took a closer look at the roughly 9-inch-long reptile and identified it as a juvenile Erythrolamprus mossoroensis, the study said. A photo shows the brown reptile. Erythrolamprus mossoroensis is a poorly known species of snake and a 'relative rarity in field studies,' according to a 2022 study. It has no English common name but is known in Portuguese as 'Cobra-d'Água' or 'Jararacuçu D'água,' names which roughly translate to 'water snake.' Erythrolamprus mossoroensis snakes are semi-aquatic predators, 'active both during the day and at night, with a diet consisting of amphibians and fish,' researchers said. Experts theorized that the species might live in the state of Paraíba because of the region's habitat and the species' presence in neighboring states, but no one had confirmed this — until now. The snake sighting in Areia, Paraíba, was the state's 'first confirmed record of (Erythrolamprus) mossoroensis,' researchers said. The team said their finding 'suggests that more specimens may be found in the region, reinforcing the need for further surveys to expand knowledge of this and other species in the area.' Paraíba is a coastal state in northeastern Brazil and a roughly 1,450-mile drive northeast from Rio de Janeiro. The research team included Élida Silva, José Robério Barboza Júnior, Mateus Dutra, Vanessa Barbosa, Frederico França and Rafaela França.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Regenerative hammerhead creature found creeping through kitchen in Madagascar
In Madagascar's densely populated capital city of Antananarivo, a slender creature with a wide head and the ability to regenerate copies of itself should it be cut apart, wriggled its way through someone's kitchen. The discovery of the nearly 10-inch-long Bipalium kewense — also known as the hammerhead flatworm — marked the first record of the highly invasive species in Madagascar, according to a May 21 study published in the journal Check List. While attempting to collect the flatworm, it broke into three separate segments — a common behavior called fragmentation exhibited by the species. It was eventually captured and removed from the country for further analysis, researchers said. The species, native to Indochina, can reproduce asexually and has been inadvertently transported through the global plant trade, making it a highly successful colonizer, researchers said. Despite being found in more than 78 countries around the world, it has scarcely been recorded in North Africa, according to the study. Researchers said two iNaturalist entries from 2024 may have featured Bipalium kewense in areas south of Antananarivo, but those observations are unconfirmed. According to the study, Bipalium kewense has also been confirmed for the first time in Egypt and South Africa. The research team included Romain Gastineau, Andrianjaka Ravelomanana, Remondah Rushdy Ramzy, Marcel Koken, Suzelyce Eva Soavolamanoro, Christian Otis, Brian Boyle, Delphine Gey, Leigh Winsor and Jean-Lou Justine.
