Reproduction
What family is the hammerhead worm apart of?
Geoplanidae
What shape is the head of a hammerhead worm?
A flattened semicircle (looks like a hammer)
where did they come from?
Southeast Asia
What do hammerhead worms eat?
Earthworms and other soil-dwelling invertebrates
What color are most hammerhead worms?
Brown, yellow or greenish with dark stripes
How do hammerhead worms asexually?
Fragmentation
what organ do hammerhead worms use to move?
their creeping sole
transported in the soil of imported plants and landscaping materials
What effect do they have on earthworm populations?
they are reducing native earthworm numbers
What toxic chemical do they release?
Tetrodotoxin (also found in pufferfish)
How do hammerhead worms reproduce sexually?
they are hermaphrodites and exchange sperm with another worm before laying eggs
it extends from their body, releasing digestive enzymes, and sucks up their liquefied prey
What did they evolve from?
other flatworm species
How do they disrupt the soil?
they slow the nutrient cycling process by killing the earthworms
How long can a hammerhead worm survive cut in half?
What factors trigger their reproduction?
warm temperatures, high humidity, and abundant food supply
How does their mucus help them survive?
It prevents them from drying out and helps them move easier
What habitat do they prefer to live in?
moist, shaded soil enviornments like gardens and forests
How do they protect themselves from predators?
they excrete a toxic mucus containing tetrodotoxin (very toxic) to make them inedible
What makes them an example of an invasive species that can harm biodiversity?
They outcompete native species, reproduce rapidly, resist pesticides and can self-reproduce
They have neoblast stem cells that can turn into any type of cell
What are these worms known for?
Why are they bad for the US envoirnment?
they disrupt soil ecosystems, potentially leading to declines in native species and impacting soil composition and nutrient cycling
How long can they grow to?