The flatworm menace (original) (raw)

Some of these, like the bizarre hammer-headed Bipalium kewense are known to be predators of earthworms. The diets of most other species are not known. These flatworms have the potential to cause significant changes to ecosystems; snail predators may eliminate the large algal grazers and fungus consumers, resulting in an increase in plant disease. Earthworm predators may have a big impact on the organisms that contribute most to soil health through drawing in nutrients, changing structure and providing aeration. These are all possibilities, but at present all we know is that the predators are here. We now need to know what they are doing.