Russia (bbabo.net) - Species found in France, Italy and Mayotte (an island in the Mozambique Channel) may be disabled - that is, their distribution may threaten biodiversity.

Terrestrial flatworms have taken over the world - mainly through the plant trade. Now more than ten species are known, and scientists have reported the discovery of two more. The study was published in the journal PeerJ.

One of the new species was named after the coronavirus, as work was carried out during quarantine, as well as in memory of the dead patients. Humbertium covidum has a small size - 30 millimeters, a uniform black color, which is unusual for flatworms, and a hammer-shaped head. Using genetic analysis of the intestines, scientists found that the worm feeds on small snails. This species probably originated in Asia.

The second species was found only in Mayotte. It is called Diversibipalium mayottensis, has the same size and head shape, but shimmers in green and blue, while its main color is brown. As scientists have suggested, he appeared in Madagascar.

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