Land flatworm

Description:

("At present I have not attempted to classify it other than putting it into the Family Geoplanidae, sub family Rhynchodeminae, Tribe Caenoplanini. The beautiful emerald green stripes look slightly iridescent from the tiny twisted cigar-shaped rhabdoids slightly possibly protruding from the epithelium on its back. The fine light brown multiple lateral stripes are reminiscent of another flatworm present on the Windsor Tablelands, Artioposthia regina, from which this new species is readily distinguished by the pale median dorsal stripe." - Dr Leigh Winsor.) Geoplanidae is a family of flatworms known commonly as land planarians. It is an understudied but important group of organisms of soil ecosystems. These flatworms are predators of other invertebrates such as earthworms, snails, slugs, insects and chelicerates, which they hunt, attack and capture using physical force and the adhesive and digestive properties of their mucus. They lack water-retaining mechanisms and are therefore very sensitive to humidity variations of their environment.

Habitat:

Because of their limited ecological requirements, some species have been proposed as indicators of the conservation state of their habitats. They are generally animals with low vagility and with very specific habitat requirements, so they can be also used to accurately determine the distribution of biogeographic zones.

Notes:

Spotted on the hiking trail leading to Josephine Falls, Australia. (Possible ID provided by Dr Leigh Windsor)