1. Australian Antarctic Data Centre
2. Discover and Manage Data
3. Records
4. AAS_4305_Flatworms_ms

Description

Macquarie Island’s invertebrate fauna is made up of over 350 species, with 44 endemics and at least 40 species of established non-native invertebrates. Most established non-native invertebrates on Macquarie Island are small and flightless detritivores. In addition, there are several large-bodied, non-native macro-detritivores, including two predatory flatworm species (the focus on this report), Kontikia andersoni and Arthurdendyus vegrandis. Invertebrate monitoring was undertaken across Macquarie Island, with field surveys between 2015-2018. We found that Kontikia andersoni has significantly expanded its range since a previous survey in 2004. Arthurdendyus vegrandis was not detected during the surveys, despite additional focused searches in the area of its recorded occurrence in 2004.

Background on invasive invertebrates
Macquarie Island’s invertebrate fauna is made up of over 350 species, mostly mites and springtails, with 44 endemics and at least 40 species of established non-native invertebrates (Greenslade 2006; Houghton 2020). Most established non-native invertebrates on Macquarie Island are small and flightless detritivores (Houghton 2020). In addition, there are several large-bodied, non-native macro-detritivores, including the slug Derocerus reticulatum (Limnacidae), earthworms (Lumbricidae), two terrestrial Crustacea including (Puhuruhuru patersoni (Amphipoda: Taltridae) and Styloniscus otakensis (Isopoda: Styloniscidae), and two predatory flatworm species (Platyhelminthes: Geoplanidae), Kontikia andersoni and Arthurdendyus vegrandis. These two flatworms are the focus on this report. Flatworms have the ability to regenerate asexually from fragments, but as hermaphrodites they also sexually reproduce and produce egg cocoons (capsule-like), which can be attached to surfaces, leaf litter or soil via a small stalk.

Invasive flatworms on Macquarie Island
Flatworms were first discovered on Macquarie Island at two creek-side sites on the south-eastern coast of Macquarie Island (near Lusitania Bay) in 1997 by R. Blakemore whilst conducting earthworm surveys (Greenslade et al. 2007). The flatworms are thought to be introduced from New Zealand more than 100 years ago, associated with commercial seal and penguin harvesting activities (Figure 1) (Greenslade et al. 2007). The flatworms collected by Blakemore in 199 were later identified as Kontikia andersoni and Arthurdendyus vegrandis, both novel species to Australia (Winsor and Stevens 2005). Kontikia andersoni and Arthurdendyus flatworms are serious pests in the UK, where they impact native soil fauna through their voracious predatory feeding habits, with consequences for soil nutrient cycling (Sluys 2016). Greenslade et al. (2007) conducted a baseline survey for flatworms on Macquarie Island in 2004, which included 182 sites in the south-east ‘target area’, and an additional 511 sites island wide. No surveys were conducted in restricted areas (Special Management Areas) designated for seabird conservation, including the south-eastern coast of the island, i.e. south of Lusitania Bay. The 2004 survey confirmed both flatworm species had spread from their likely region of introduction. However, no location data is available for the 511 sites across the island that were recorded as ‘absences’ for both flatworm species.

An island-wide invertebrate survey in 1994 which included timed searches for macro-invertebrates at 67 sites did not detect either A. vergrandis or K. andersoni (Davies and Melbourne 1999). The locations for these sites are also not available. However, Greenslade et al. (2007) reported that all 67 sites were outside the area they later defined as the ‘target area’ for flatworm searches.

From the baseline distribution data established by Greenslade et. al (2007), we aimed to clarify the current distribution of flatworms based on i) an invertebrate trapping program in key vegetation communities ii) focused searches in areas where flatworms had been previously detected and iii) a comprehensive island-wide survey for flatworms.

http://www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au/publications-and-tools/invasive-flatworms-on-macquarie-island-information-paper

The dataset includes:
Location (lat/ long), habitat descriptions (moisture scale and vegetation)
Presence/ absence of invasive flatworms, isopods and amphipods on Macquarie Island

Purpose

The purpose of this dataset is to provide information on the current distribution of the two invasive flatworms, and to determine if the species had expanded in recent years. We found that Kontikia andersoni has significantly expanded its range since a previous survey in 2004. Arthurdendyus vegrandis was not detected during the surveys, despite additional focused searches in the area of its recorded occurrence in 2004.

Quality

Method
Invertebrate trapping program
Comprehensive invertebrate surveys were carried out at 24 sites across Macquarie Island during three consecutive sampling seasons (2015-2018) (See Houghton et al. 2019 and Houghton 2020 for detailed trapping and surveillance methodology). These sites covered a range of dominant vegetation communities.

Comprehensive island wide flatworm survey
We designed a comprehensive survey to determine the distribution of flatworms on the island. Sites were situated approximately 1 km apart along the coast. Nearby suitable habitat (i.e. vegetated and damp) was identified in which to conduct a timed hand search. Additional to the coastal sites, four cross-island transects following major drainage areas were also surveyed, with sites spaced every 500 m. Timed searches were made by hand, either by 1, 2 or 3 people.

We were unable to determine the exact location of previous absences reported by Greenslade. However, this does not influence our dataset on current distribution of species on the island. We established true absences in our surveys (2015-2018).

Access

These data are publicly available for download from the provided URL.

Temporal Coverages

• Start date: 2015-01-01 - Stop date: 2018-12-31

Spatial Coverages

Science Keywords

• EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > COMMUNITY DYNAMICS > INVASIVE SPECIES
• EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES > FLATWORMS/FLUKES/TAPEWORMS
• EARTH SCIENCE > HUMAN DIMENSIONS > POPULATION > POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
• EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS > SPECIES PREDATION
• EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS > RANGE CHANGES
• EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS > EXOTIC SPECIES

Use Constraints

This data set conforms to the CCBY Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Please follow instructions listed in the citation reference provided at http://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/metadata/citation.cfm?entry_id=AAS_4305_Flatworms_ms when using these data.