The traditional way to classify the phylum Platyhelminthes is to break it into two parts: one non-parasitic (for the most part), the other entirely parasitic. The mostly non-parasitic group is a subdivision of the phylum Platyhelminthes called Turbellaria, and it includes animals like planarians, a common flatworm that lives in many different parts of the world. Turbellarians tend to be predators that live in water or moist areas on land, like piles of wet leaves. The parasitic flatworms are divided into three groups: Cestoda, Trematoda and Monogenea. Trematodes (a.k.a. flukes) and Cestodes (a.k.a. tapeworms) are similar to one another in that their complicated life cycles share many features. In their mature stages, both live as parasites in a host; more specifically, they live in the digestive systems of fish and vertebrates that live on land. (Most people have probably heard about tapeworms in this context.) Both groups also infest secondary hosts during the intermediate stage of their life cycles, and both produce large numbers of eggs, although they accomplish this in a different fashion. Monogeneas, in contrast, are external parasites. They infest aquatic animals, with their larvae growing into adult form once they have attached themselves to a host.

While there are tons of different types of flatworms (scientists have identified over 20,000 species, and there are presumed to be many more), some common characteristics link them together. For example, flatworms are versatile and can live all over the world in wildly different habitats. Some live in extremely hot locations, while others live in the freezing cold. Temperature, whether hot or cold, isn’t much of an impediment to flatworms. What is an impediment, however, is moisture. Like most other worms, flatworms cannot withstand a dry environment. Flatworms also have what might be described as a “slimy” body, as they secrete mucus from glands on their underside. This allows flatworms that live on land to move about in a gliding motion.

A couple of interesting facts about flatworms before we conclude: first, they vary greatly in size. Some flatworms are microscopic, while others can grow to over 20 inches long. Another interesting thing about flatworms is that if their bodies are split apart in some way, the individual parts will regenerate into new worms. They must be almost completely dissolved to prevent this regeneration from taking place.

So, flatworms are simple creatures, but they are no less resilient because of it. Not many other animals can withstand bitter cold or oppressive heat, and still fewer can be cut to pieces and still survive.

As it turns out, the answer to the above riddle involves the definition of “eyes,” and if the definition is sufficiently inclusive, it can be properly said that worms have eyes, which explains why they are able to move around in the fashion that they do.

Although some types of worms are blind, others, like flatworms, have what are called “pigment spot ocelli” (the singular form of “ocelli” is “ocellus,” derived from the Latin word for eye, “oculus” – who said the humanities and sciences don’t blend together?). Other creatures that have single spot ocelli include jellyfish and sea stars. In these very basic eyes, pigment is randomly distributed, making the eyes appear as red or black. There is no more advanced structure, like a cornea or lens, in the simple eyes that worms have. Within the ocelli, there are only a few light sensitive cells. For this reason, worms can only detect light that is in front of them.

As you can see (no pun intended), the eyes that some types of worms have are extremely simple, so much so that they can only faintly perceive light. However, this is evidently enough to give them a sense of direction, which explains why worms seem to “know” where they are going, as it were. To be sure, worm eyes are very primitive – in fact, it’s hard to imagine that a few light sensitive cells can be called by the same name as, say, the complicated organs that allow raptures to hunt their prey at night – but they are eyes just the same.

To conclude, worms can see with their eyes, if by “see” you mean “perceive light,” and by “eyes” you mean “a few cells that are sensitive to light.”

Flatworms may grow up to 20 inches long and they typically have slim bodies, which allow them to move along the ground with a gliding motion. The body secretes mucus from glands on its belly or underside. Land-dwelling flatworms can be spotted in the early morning hours, especially after a hard rain. They are nocturnal, however, and they love wet surfaces. They will stick to just about any moist or wet surface, as well as dry tree branches and trunks. Keep in mind that there are several varieties of land flatworms.

Two of the most common types of land flatworms include the hammerhead flat worm and the flatworm with a pointed head (instead of a hammerhead), with a dark brown body. The flatworm is usually medium-brown in color with dark markings or stripes. Some worms may appear gray to greenish/gray as well. All types feed on beneficial earthworms, so beware.

If you have a flatworm infestation, there are several ways to control populations. The first thing to keep in mind is, if you attempt to chop a flatworm in half or even smash it, the pieces will only regenerate into new flatworms. So, even if you chop a flat worm into seven pieces, you will end up with seven newly generated worms. You must dissolve the flatworm completely in order to get rid of it.

Flatworm treatment methods include salt, vinegar, and citrus oil. These products must be applied directly to the flat worms in order to be effective. Spreading them around the soil or areas where you the worms have been spotted won’t dissolve these parasites completely. You can use a spray bottle for the vinegar and citrus oil methods and you can simply pour the salt over the worms to dissolve them.

In general, most garden worms are quite harmless and in most instances, they can be beneficial to your garden, plants, and trees. Most garden worms help to control destructive termite larvae and grubs, as well as other destructive garden pests. They can also help mix the earths soil by burrowing into the ground or even writhing around in topsoil. While most garden worms are helpful, so they should be left alone, there are some (such as the flatworm) that are dangerous and should be eliminated. The flatworm does not help to control other pest populations as most worms do. They actually kill and eat earthworms, exclusively. The flatworm is considered a parasite and it devours its only prey by pushing its throat outside if its mouth and snapping up any part of the earthworm’s body. It melts the earthworm’s body with an enzyme and slowly eats it until the earthworm is completely consumed. It is important to remember that earthworms are the most important creatures on earth.

Earthworms play an important part in fertilizing the soil, and they also help with oxygen and water flow into the soil. Earthworms excrete tons of castings (excrement) each year, which is a powerful fertilizer. Just think, 25 earthworms per square foot of soil equal 1 million earthworms per acre. In healthy soil, 40 tons of castings per acre pass through earthworms’ bodies daily. A new U.S. study suggests that there are 1.5 million worms per acre, which move 20 tons of earth each year.

Earthworms also burrow into the soil creating passageways for oxygen and water. Because earthworms are so important to the survival of the earth’s plants, trees, and crops, when trying to get rid of destructive creatures such as flatworms, you must take special care not to harm the earthworms.

Although the flatworm is considered the simplest of all worm groups, unfortunately, there is nothing simple about getting rid of them if they have invaded your aquarium. One of the main obstacles with flatworm control is the alarming rate at which they reproduce. All they have to do is split in two to multiply. There are no mating rituals and no eggs to hatch. When the flatworm splits, it immediately forms a new flatworm, until you have thousands of flatworms in your system. What’s worse is, flatworms feed on fish skin and eyes, so all of the fish in your system will eventually die.

To get rid of flatworms, a freshwater bath is a decent first step. But it is important to note that this is only a short-term solution. The flatworms will eventually return in a few weeks to a few months. When they return, you will have to try another freshwater bath, plus chemical controls.

A wide range of chemicals are available today to help combat flatworm infestation in systems, but many of them are not that effective. Malachite green, which is banned in the U.S., and Paracide F (formalin 37%) are effective at killing flatworm infestations, but again, the effect is short-term, as the flatworms will keep coming back if even one is left behind. Copper has been shown to reduce the reproductive success of flatworms, but it does not completely stop them from reproducing. Fortunately, one treatment is available that seems to work long-term. It is currently attracting a significant amount of attention in the industry. Its called Salifert Flatworm Exit.

When used correctly, Salifert Flatworm Exit should kill all flatworms, and according to tests and numerous consumer reviews, the flatworms will not return. To successfully kill flatworms, begin by siphoning out any flatworms in the system. It is important to siphon every area of the system including any crevices, which are excellent hiding places for flatworms.

In some cases, consumers forget that flatworms may be hiding in crevices, so they neglect to siphon them out. This means that after killing the flatworms, you may notice that they return rather quickly. This is because some of them never left! It is recommended that you use a vacuum, turkey baster or powerhead to siphon out flatworms before and after treating the system. You must siphon out all dead flatworms following treatment because the flatworms body juices are toxic and can kill your fish.

Besides siphoning out as many flatworms as possible before treating your system, you should also keep sufficient fresh activated carbon in a canister ready and turn off UV, ozone and remove activated carbon. It is important to keep the skimmer turned on.

While Salifert Flatworm Exit is safe for most fish and invertebrates, it may have a corrosive effect on some sea animals. It will not kill your sea animals or fish, but it can corrode the skin. Fortunately, the skin will regenerate eventually. For more details about how to use Salifert Flatworm Exit and information on how to purchase, visit Marine Depot at www.marinedepot.com.

If left untreated, worms in the human body can cause everything from anemia to rashes to weakness. Symptoms of worms include:

Abdominal discomfort
Chills
Constipation
Coughing
Diarrhea
Eye pain
Fatigue
Fever
Gas
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Mental dullness
Nausea
Nervousness
Protein deficiency
Stomach bloating
Vomiting

The symptoms you will experience depend on the type of worm. There are more than 3,200 types of parasites in existence today and at any given time the human body may be infected with dozens of them. The most common parasite in humans is the worm. Parasites are either Cestoda, Nematoda, Protozoa, or Trematoda. Some parasitic worms are microscopic while others are easy to identify by sight.

Just a few of the different types of worms that infect humans include: tapeworms, (Cestodes); hookworms, pinworms, and roundworms (Nematodes); giardia (Protozoa); and flat worms, (Trematoda). The most common type of human intestinal worm is the roundworm. It is estimated that one in every four humans is infected with roundworms. It is important to keep in mind, however, that parasites rarely cause any serious (or fatal) complications in Europe and North America.

Symptoms of worms are also common symptoms for many other diseases and conditions, so its best to consult a physician for an accurate diagnosis. A physician will test for parasites by taking a feces sample and examining it for parasites and/or eggs. Fortunately, the vast majority of parasites can be eliminated by using identical methods for each type of infection or by using antibiotics that target several different types of parasitic worms. First, parasites can be eliminated from the body through the use of colon cleansers and/or colonics, several rounds of antibiotics or medications as prescribed by a physician, and/or by utilizing a number of different herbal or natural remedies.

Before using any herbal remedy, please discuss your options with a professional herbalist for the very best (and safest) remedies. Some of the most popular herbal remedies for worms include:

Black walnut leaves, wormwood, quassia, cloves, male fern
Capsicum, wormwood, sage
Cramp bark, pumpkin seed, capsicum, thyme, garlic
Black walnut, pine needles, sassafras

In general, herbal remedies should be taken orally for a minimum of two weeks. Some individuals may complain of re-infection. It is very important to change your eating habits immediately if you suspect a parasite or worm infection. It’s best not to go back to your regular eating habits in order to prevent re-infection. Certain foods, spices, and beverages might help to ward off parasite infections or they will keep you from becoming infected through food or water sources. These include:

Cranberry juice
High-fiber foods
Pumpkin seeds
Garlic
Pomegranates
Apple cider vinegar
Figs
Bottled or distilled water
Thoroughly cooked meats and seafood
Organic fruits and vegetables, washed thoroughly

Avoid the following foods and activities if at all possible:

Undercooked meats
Chestnuts
Sugar
Watercress
Refined carbohydrates
Swimming in lakes, rivers, an streams
Using the microwave to cook meats

Never underestimate the power of clean hands. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom whether it is in your home or a public facility. You should always wash kitchen utensils and countertops with hot soapy water after each use and wear gloves when changing your cats litter box or cleaning up after your pets.

Worm castings are so valuable and ten times richer in nutrients that commercial topsoil, that many gardeners and farmers use the composting method to fertilize plants and crops. Worm castings also help create channels within the layers of the earth’s soil, which helps to hold water better and keep moisture in the soil longer. Continue reading to learn more facts about worms.

·There are more than 4,400 different types of worms in existence today. Of the 4,400 species, there are 2,700 species of earthworm. There are more than 1,200 species of another type of worm called the inchworm.

·Earthworms belong to one of several different types of ecological groups. There are three broad ecological groups that have been identified for earthworms including: epigeic, endogeic, and anecic. The groups are based on what the earthworms eat and where they tend to live in the soil. The epigeic group is a litter feeder, litter dweller, pigmented, small in size, and it doesn’t burrow. The endogeic group consists of rich soil feeders, topsoil dwellers, has no pigmentation, burrows horizontally, and it is small in size. The anecic consists of litter and soil feeders, soil dwellers, dorsally pigmented bodies, extensive vertical burrows, and a large size. Size and color are usually good distinguishers for adult earthworms.

·Earthworms can be found in just about every corner of the earth. They live in trees, in bark, and under rocks as well as along rivers, near springs, and in ponds. Their favorite place to live, however, is burrowed inside the earth’s rich soil. During the winter months they burrow deep within the earth until the surface warms again during the spring. During the warm summer months, worms stay closer to the tops of soil where they create tunnels to wiggle in and out of. These tunnels are extremely important for plant life as they create a path for water and air, which is essential for the survival of plant life.

·The clitellum of adult earthworms contains features called genital tumescence, and tubercula pubertatis. The clitellum features, the male pores, and female pores are found above the clitellum and are all parts of the earthworm reproductive system.

·The earthworm has “setae” which are tiny hair-like projections that are arranged in rows along the earthworm body. The setae are used for locomotion by the earthworm.

·Places like China, Australia, Greenland, and the Sahara Desert have their own indigenous species of earthworms. Besides the Sahara Desert, you won’t find large numbers of worms living in “sandy” areas, especially sandy beaches. The vast majority of worms on our planet can only survive under certain environmental conditions.

·Worms have no lungs, so they breathe through their skin. This means that the worm’s environment and skin must be moist at all times. This allows the worm to breathe in oxygen. If the worm’s skin dries out, the worm will die from suffocation. While worms need moisture to survive, too much moisture can be fatal. If too much water is present, it takes the place of oxygen, which will cause the worms to flee to the surface. Once on the surface, worms will be exposed to sunlight. If worms remain in the sunlight for too long, they can become paralyzed.

·In addition to needing a moist environment for survival, worms must also remain close to their food supply. Worms feed off of leaves and dead grass, which contain organisms that provide a healthy diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi. Worms feast on dirt as well, especially if they live deeper inside the earth. Worms also eat plants, fruits and vegetables.

·Although you cannot see them, worms do have mouths. The earthworm mouth is called the prostomium. The worm’s mouth is actually big enough and powerful enough to grab a leaf and drag it around. They also have a pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard and intestine. When the worm eats its food, it pulls the materials into its mouth with the help of the pharynx and its prostomium (also called acron). This creates a suction motion. This suction motion aids in helping the worm consume large amounts of food in a sort amount of time. The gizzard grinds the food.

·Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.

·The worm’s moist sustenance rich environment plays an extremely important role in reproduction as well. Worms prefer to mate and reproduce in warm moist soil, away from the light.

A wide range of chemicals are available today to help combat flatworm infestation in systems, but many of them may fall short. Malachite green, which is banned in the U.S., and Paracide F (formalin 37%) are effective at killing flatworm infestations, but again, the effect is short-term, as the flatworms will keep coming back if even one is left behind. Copper has been shown to reduce the reproductive success of flatworms, but it doesn’t completely stop them from reproducing. That said, there is a treatment that seems to work long-term and it is attracting a significant amount of attention in the industry. It’s called Salifert Flatworm Exit.

When used correctly, Salifert Flatworm Exit should kill all flatworms. And according to tests and numerous consumer reviews, the flatworms will not return. To successfully kill flatworms, begin by siphoning out any flatworms in the system. It is important to siphon every area of the system including any crevices, which are excellent hiding places for flatworms. In some cases, consumers forget that flatworms may be hiding in crevices, so they neglect to siphon them out. This means that after ‘killing’ the flatworms, you may notice that they return rather quickly. This is because some of them never left. It is recommended that you use a vacuum, turkey baster or powerhead to siphon out flatworms before and after treating the system. You must siphon out all dead flatworms following treatment because the flatworms’ body juices are toxic and can kill your fish.

Besides siphoning out as many flatworms as possible before treating your system, you should also keep sufficient fresh activated carbon in a canister ready and turn off UV, ozone and remove activated carbon. It is important to keep the skimmer turned on. While Salifert Flatworm Exit is safe for most fish and invertebrates, it may have a corrosive effect on some sea animals. It won’t kill your sea animals or fish, but it can corrode the skin, which, of course, will regenerate eventually. For more details about how to use Salifert Flatworm Exit and information on how to purchase, visit Marine Depot at www.marinedepot.com.

About Flatworms

If you noticed a white speckled worm writhing or darting around in your soil or in a body of water, chances are it was a flatworm. This thin creature may look complicated, but flatworms are actually the simplest of all worm groups. This group of worms consists of around 20,000 species in they can be found just about anywhere — even the human body. This means, flatworms can be free living or parasitic. In its parasitic state, the flatworm lives off of another living thing called a host. Unfortunately, parasitic flatworms can be dangerous to the human body.

While there tens and thousands of flatworm species, one of the most popular flatworms is a tapeworm. Tapeworms enter the human or animal digestive system through contaminated food, contaminated individuals or animals and even through contaminated beverages. These worms can grow to unbelievable lengths while dining off the host. As the tapeworm grows, it becomes more and more dangerous to the host. Human parasites can cause dozens of different problems in human systems from allergies and asthma to inflammation and immune system deficiency. Flatworms can also be found in soil, marine, and fresh water and they can be a number of different colors and sizes. They can be solid in color or multi-colored, speckled or striped, and short or long. It just depends on the species.

All flatworms, no matter what the species may be, have tiny bristles on the skin called cilia and they do not have a skeleton. The cilia help the flatworm move around along with two layers of muscle under the skin. The flatworm has a digestive and circulatory system and it eliminates waste through the same opening. The flatworm sees through two eyespots that allows it to sense light. Parasitic flatworms, as stated earlier, feed off of the host’s food. Other flatworms feed off of small worms, insects, and microscopic matter. The flatworm is typically very thin and it can be several feet long or microscopic.

If you have a flatworm infestation, there are several ways to prevent and get rid of them. First, you can prevent human parasites by cooking foods thoroughly, drinking pure water, washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and washing your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom, handling pets or changing diapers. Parasitic flatworms can be treated by using medicated shampoos, prescription creams or oral medications. Oral medications may include: Praziquantel (Biltricide), Albendazole (Albenza) or Niclosamide. Niclosamide is not available in the United States. These medications may be taken for several weeks or months to kill the parasites in your system. The success rate is more than 95% when medications are taken as directed. Symptoms typically disappear within four weeks of treatment.

Marine worms are grouped in many different categories or “phyla” ranging from annelids to sipunculids (Sipuncula). Some marine worms live underneath boulders and rocks in the sea while others burrow underneath rocks and boulders in mud or sand. Marine worms include but are not limited to: peanut worms, ribbon worms, flatworms, ringed or segmented worms, tube-making worms, and burrow-dwelling worms. Continue reading to learn more about several marine worm species and where to find them.

About Peanut Worms

There are an estimated 300 to 500 species of peanut worms in existence today. A peanut worm, phylum Sipuncula, is shaped like a cylinder or peanut, but it still has worm-like movements and habits. Much like earthworms, peanut worms prefer to live in moist, dark places. Many peanut worms burrow themselves under rocks and boulders that can be found in the mud or sand or they make their home in reef.

The peanut worm has a fat, round section that grows into a long, retractable head extension with a mouth at the end (proboscis). The section has the ability to turn inside out. The peanut worms body is tan or brownish in color with black rings on the proboscis and black blotches on the body.

Unlike other types of worms like apple tree worms, which actually eat apples, and pecan tree worms, that actually eat holes in pecans, peanut worms do not eat peanuts. They eat organic matter found in their favorite places to be – the sand and mud.

Ribbon Worm

The ribbon worm, also called proboscis worm, bootlace worm, nemertean, or nemertine, is any member of the phylum Nemertea. Nemertea is also called Nemertinea or Rhynchocoela. There are more than 900 Nemertea species, including free-living forms as well as parasites of sea squirts, crustaceans, and mollusks. Most Nemertea are found in marine habitats, but some may live on land (terrestrial) or in freshwater.

There are 13 known terrestrial ribbon worm species recorded worldwide. Four exist in Australia (Argonemertes: australiensis; dendyi; hillii; stocki) and they are from the Argonemertes genus. Land-dwelling nemerteans need dark, damp, and cool habitats to live. They can be found under rotting logs, in leaf litter or under large rocks or stones. They are typically found in lands where the climate is calm and damp

Ribbon worms have muscular eversible (able to be turned inside out) proboscis (tubular feeding and sucking organ), housed in a fluid-filled enclosure above the belly or gut. This area is used to trap prey and it is used for burrowing. Land-dwelling ribbon worms may use it for fast movement. At a minimum of 8 inches long, the ribbon worms body is long and lean with finlike appendages. Some giant ribbon worm species or ‘Lineus longissimus’ may reach up to 100 feet long.

Ribbon worms reproduce annually. Fertilization occurs externally, and the eggs and sperm are released separately. Ribbon worms develop by either the direct method or ciliated larval stage. The direct method does not include a larval stage and the ciliated larval stage is either a free-swimming larva called the pilidum or the Desor’s larva, which is similar to an adult. The larvae transform into ribbon worms in several days to several weeks after swimming among plankton.

Ribbon worms have several unique abilities and traits. Some may have separate male and female organs (dioecious) while others may have both male and female organs (hermaphroditic). Ribbon worms can regenerate chopped or damaged parts of their body. In fact, ribbon worms may break up into pieces on their own and the pieces will grow into new worms.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com, “in general, the ribbon worms are regarded as a distinct phylum at the highest point of acoelomate (without a body cavity) development; however, some evidence suggests that one proboscis cavity, or rhynchocoel, may be a true coelom. The important features used to classify the ribbon worms include the position of the brain relative to the mouth, the presence or absence of a stylet (or stylets) on the proboscis, and the position of the lateral nerves relative to the muscle layers.

For pictures or video of the giant ribbon worm or an average size ribbon worm in action, visit: http://www.seawater.no/fauna/slimormer/kjempe.htm or http://www.flickr.com/photos/pokerchampdaniel/3136421527/.

The flat worm can reach up to 20 inches long and its body is very slimy, which allows it to move along the ground in a gliding motion. The body secretes mucus from glands on its belly or underside. Flat worm sightings are common in the early morning hours, especially after a hard rain. They are nocturnal however, and they love wet surfaces. This means that they will stick to just about any surface that’s wet or moist, as well as on tree branches and trunks. Keep in mind that there are several varieties of land planarians.

Two of the most common sightings are the hammerhead flat worm and the flat worm with a pointed head (instead of a hammerhead), with a dark brown body. The flat worm is usually medium-brown in color with dark markings or stripes. Some worms may appear gray to greenish/gray as well. All types feed on earthworms, so beware.

If you have a flat worm infestation, there are several ways to get rid of or control populations. The first thing to keep in mind is, if you attempt to chop a flat worm in half or even smash them, the pieces will only regenerate into new flat worms. So, if you chop a flat worm into 7 pieces, you will end up with 7 new worms! You must dissolve the flat worm completely in order to get rid of it.

Flat worm treatment methods include: salt, vinegar, and citrus oil. These products must be applied directly to the flat worms in order to be effective. Spreading them around the soil or areas where you the worms have been spotted won’t dissolve these parasites completely. You can use a spray bottle for the vinegar and citrus oil methods and you can simply pour the salt over the worms to dissolve them.

In general, most garden worms are quite harmless and in most cases they can be beneficial to your garden, plants, and trees. Most garden worms help to control destructive termite larvae and grubs, as well as other destructive garden pests. They can also help mix the earths soil by burrowing into the ground or even writhing around in topsoil. While most garden worms are helpful, so they should be left alone, there are some (such as the flat worm) that are dangerous and should be eliminated.
The flat worm does not help to control other pest populations as most worms do. They actually kill and eat earthworms, exclusively. The flat worm is considered a parasite and it devours its only prey by pushing its throat outside if its mouth and snapping up any part of the earthworm’s body. It melts the earthworm’s body with an enzyme and slowly eats it until the earthworm is completely consumed. It is important to remember that earthworms are the most important creatures on earth.

Earthworms play an important part in fertilizing the soil and they also help with oxygen and water flow into the soil. Earthworms excrete tons of castings (excrement) each year, which is a powerful fertilizer. Just think, 25 earthworms per square foot of soil equal 1 million earthworms per acre. In healthy soil, 40 tons of castings per acre pass through earthworms’ bodies daily. A new U.S. study suggests that there are 1.5 million worms per acre, which move 20 tons of earth each year.

Earthworms also burrow into the soil creating passageways for oxygen and water. Because earthworms are so important to the survival of the earth’s plants, trees, and crops, when trying to get rid of destructive creatures such as flat worms, you must take special care not to harm the earthworms.