OBSERVATIONS ON THE GEOGRAPHIC-DISTRIBUTION OF FLATWORMS (TURBELLARIA, RHYNCHODEMIDAE, BIPALIIDAE, GEOPLANIDAE) IN NEW-ZEALAND

The presence of the 'New Zealand flatworm' Artioposthia triangulata (D endy, 1895) and other Australasian species in the British Isles and Fa roe Islands has stimulated interest in the New Zealand fauna which was poorly known. Data from recent surveys and presented in this paper ha ve shown that exotic terrestrial planarians have become established in New Zealand e.g. Bipalium kewense (Moseley, 1878) Caenoplana coerulea Moseley, 1877 Parakontikia atrata (Steel, 1897) and P. ventrolineata (Dendy, 1892). Distinct geographical distribution patterns were identi fied for many of the thirteen native and exotic species mapped. The fa ctors responsible for these distributions are discussed. Our results s uggest that there are other predatory, terrestrial planarians in New Z ealand which could become established abroad and that while statutory controls could be used these would require scientific information on b oth flatworm activity and earthworm biology.