APHOTOFAUNA

An online educational resource dedicated to the photography of
terrestrial wildlife and their habitats, found across South-West
England and the Devon and Cornwall Peninsula by David Fenwick.

A-P-H-O-T-O Wildlife Stock Image Library
Artioposthia exulans Dendy, 1901 - A non-native terrestrial flatworm (Platyhelminthes images)
Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under piece of timber 1

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under piece of timber 2

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under piece of timber 3

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under piece of timber 4

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under piece of timber 5

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under piece of timber 6

The Artioposthia exulans here was about 8mm contracted, 14-15mm out-stretched. 2 specimens found under a small piece of board, amongst fly-tipped garden refuse, which included dried Phormium tenax leaves at Sandy Cove, Newlyn, near Penzance, Cornwall. 13.05.13. SW4666928378.

A sexually mature animal was found on the 15.05.13 at the same site and was ''very kindly'' histologically examined by Dr. Hugh Jones, who identified it as this species.

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under charred wood 1

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under charred wood 1

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- head 1

Large specimen found at same site as above, on wasteground near Newlyn Harbour, Newlyn, Cornwall. 20.09.13.

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under rock 1

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under rock 2

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- under rock 3

Two examples found under rocks at Morrab Sub-tropical Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall. 16.10.13. Species was found in flower bed close to Phormium tenax and Astelia chathamica, both of these species occur in the Chatham Islands, one of the places the species is considered native. Morrab Gardens is only the second site that this species has been found in the UK.

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- small juvenile 1

A small juvenile specimen found on a ground contacting rusty iron bar in a part of Morrab Gardens not open to the general public. Morrab Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall. 23.10.13.

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- adult on Phormium leaf 1

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- adult on Phormium leaf 2

Non-native terrestrial flatworm
Artioposthia exulans
- juvenile on Phormium 1

Adult and juvenile specimens found on old ground contacting Phormium leaves in Penlee Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall. 26.10.13. SW4697029952.

Artioposthia exulans comes from New Zealand and has been recorded from Kawhatau Base and Ara-tea-tea, North Island, New Zealand; and the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, where it was reported as common under logs.

This species appears to be a recent introduction to the UK, possibly via imported nursery stock from New Zealand. Its relationship with both Astelia and Phormium has yet to be studied. It is possible the species could hide in leaf axils or old inrolled leaves of Phormium. More records and research is needed to show wether the species is distributed via the exchange or sale of plant material.

APHOTOFAUNA supports open source data recording and sharing for the benefit of wildlife, recorders, research, science and education. The project works closely with the following bodies and organisations.

CISFBR or Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation of Biological Recorders

The CISFBR or Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation of Biological Recorders is an independent umbrella organisation supporting independent recorders and recording groups in the county of Cornwall.

Cornish Biodiversity Network

The Cornish Biodiversity Network or CBN is the largest open source wildlife database in Cornwall that sends open source data to the NBN (National Biodiversity Network). It is a new recording system based on the ERICA database, the largest recording resource in Cornwall. The CBN best supports the activities and needs of the independent recording community and recording groups in Cornwall.

NBN National Biodiversity Network

The National Biodiversity Network or NBN is a charity that supports open source data sharing and recording supporting conservation, science and education.
"Why do recorders need open source?". Simply because it supports the core values of wildlife recording and the free use of records and data over a very wide network that includes partners like the Natural History Museum.

Artioposthia exulans New Zealand Chatham Islands Geoplanid Geoplanidae Flatworm Turbellaria Images
The main objective of this website is in furthering environmental awareness and education through the medium of photography. To increase awareness and access to the wildlife of the region and help
people find and identify it. Sometimes the difference between species is obvious but many species can only be determined by observing microscopic characteristics that are specific to any one species.