#HowEiffel
“Giant predatory worms are invading France — and nobody noticed for almost 2 decades”
and soon to be the latest “delicacy”, to be served along side of snips, snails and puppy dog tails ...
#HowEiffel
The potent neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX) is known from a diverse array of taxa, but is unknown in terrestrial invertebrates. Tetrodotoxin is a low molecular weight compound that acts by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, inducing paralysis. However, the origins and ecological functions of TTX in most taxa remain mysterious. Here, we show that TTX is present in two species of terrestrial flatworm (Bipalium adventitium and Bipalium kewense) using a competitive inhibition enzymatic immunoassay to quantify the toxin and high phase liquid chromatography to confirm the presence. We also investigated the distribution of TTX throughout the bodies of the flatworms and provide evidence suggesting that TTX is used during predation to subdue large prey items. We also show that the egg capsules of B. adventitium have TTX, indicating a further role in defense. These data suggest a potential route for TTX bioaccumulation in terrestrial systems.
Bipalium adventitium and Bipalium kewense are terrestrial flatworms invasive to the United States from southeastern Asia.
Are the worms too big for robins to handle? Here in Kentucky we have robins all over the place, but they still don’t catch the worms that crawl into my basement.
Ya, they used to be called “GERMANS” but know they are called “LIBERALS”.