Download "Really revolting" flatworm found in Florida

"Really revolting" flatworm found in
Florida
By Miami Herald, adapted by Newsela staff on 08.14.15
Word Count 709
Makiri Sei, a staff scientist at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was looking
before dawn for rare tropical snails at the Montgomery Botanical Center in Coral Gables, Florida, when she
discovered this New Guinea flatworm in August 2014. Photo: Makiri Sei/TNS
MIAMI, Fla. — The New Guinea flatworm is not pretty. It has a mouth on its belly,
it is covered in toxic goo and it sometimes carries a parasite that can cause
brain infections in humans.
Just 2 inches long, it is a monster in miniature — and it's invading the United
States.
Last month, researchers confirmed for the first time that the flatworm is in the
U.S. mainland. It was found in in four locations in Florida. There is already
concern that the flatworm might spread, and it could threaten South Florida’s
native snail population.
David Robinson is the nation’s chief malacologist at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. A malacologist is a scientist who studies snails. Even though
Robinson is a snail scientist, he finds the New Guinea flatworm disgusting. “As a
biologist I can handle most things, but I find this really revolting,” he said.
Invasive Species Can Wipe Out Other Plants, Animals
The flatworm is listed as one of the planet’s 100 most invasive species. Species
are considered invasive when they move into new areas and throw off the
balance of plant and animal life there. If they multiply too quickly, for example,
they can quickly wipe out other species or destroy an ecosystem.
Experts worry that the New Guinea flatworm could spread in the U.S. “From
Miami, the flatworm can go anywhere in Florida and anywhere in the U.S.,” said
Jean-Lou Justine. Justine was the lead author of a study about the flatworm
published in June.
“In the beginning, we are going to find them mainly in gardens because they will
be transported from garden to garden,” Justine said of the spread of the
flatworm. “The real problem will be if they go into the wild.”
The New Guinea flatworm feasts on snails and will eat any slug, worm or soft
critter living in soil. It has an elaborate way of making meals out of snails. To get
around the snail’s armor, the flatworm latches onto the shell’s opening. It then
spits out its own stomach through the mouth on its belly. An acidic goo from the
stomach dissolves the snail’s flesh. The flatworm can then re-swallow both
stomach and snail.
The worm, which is native to New Guinea, has now been documented in 22
countries. Mostly it has been found in island nations.
Fourth Flatworm Found Last Year
In his study, Justine said the worm was first reported in the United States in
Miami in June 2012. Four months later, another sighting was reported in the city.
Two years passed before a third worm was reported.
The latest discovery was made by Makiri Sei, by accident. Sei is another
malacologist, and her office is two doors down from Robinson's. In August 2014,
she was in Miami looking for live tropical snails to study their genes.
Because it had been dry, another biologist suggested Sei look for snails at
night. So at about 4 a.m., she headed to a spot in the garden where the day
before she had seen empty snail shells. Instead, Sei discovered a slimy
flatworm and snapped a few pictures.
“I had no idea what they were,” said Sei, who had been to Florida only once
before as a child. Back in Philadelphia, she showed the pictures to Robinson,
who suspected Sei had found another flatworm.
Flatworm Can Spread Quickly
The New Guinea flatworm is dangerous given how quickly it can spread. It can
also carry disease, such as the rat lungworm, a tiny creature that burrows into
the brain and can spread to humans. Most people infected with rat lungworm
suffer muscle aches and sensitivity to light but recover without ever knowing
they have been infected.
The New Guinea flatworms are also coated in a toxic goo that can cause
allergies, so they should not be handled by humans.
The New Guinea flatworm is not the only invasive species. In fact, snails have a
history of invading new areas too. Robinson was hired as the first national
malacologist in 1995, and, since then, he has seen outbreaks of invasive snails
threatening wheat crops in Montana, Detroit and Washington state.
“All through the country we have little outbreaks,” he said. “They come in on
pretty much everything: cut flowers, imported fruits and vegetables.”
Quiz
1
2
3
4
What is the article mainly about?
(A)
invasive species and their effects
(B)
different kinds of scientists
(C)
how the New Guinea flatworm looks
(D)
illnesses caused by the flatworm
Which of the following selections would be the LEAST helpful to include in an
objective summary of the article?
(A)
Even though Robinson is a snail scientist, he finds the New Guinea
flatworm disgusting. “As a biologist I can handle most things, but I
find this really revolting,” he said.
(B)
The flatworm is listed as one of the planet’s 100 most invasive
species. Species are considered invasive when they move into new
areas and throw off the balance of plant and animal life there.
(C)
The worm, which is native to New Guinea, has now been
documented in 22 countries. Mostly it has been found in island
nations.
(D)
The latest discovery was made by Makiri Sei, by accident. Sei is
another malacologist, and her office is two doors down from
Robinson's. In August 2014, she was in Miami looking for live
tropical snails to study their genes.
Which section of the article is organized around a sequence of events?
(A)
"Invasive Species Can Wipe Out Other Plants, Animals"
(B)
Introduction [paragraphs 1-4]
(C)
"Flatworm Can Spread Quickly"
(D)
"Fourth Flatworm Found Last Year"
Select the paragraph from the section "Flatworm Can Spread Quickly" that uses
comparison in its structure.
Answer Key
1
2
3
4
What is the article mainly about?
(A)
invasive species and their effects
(B)
different kinds of scientists
(C)
how the New Guinea flatworm looks
(D)
illnesses caused by the flatworm
Which of the following selections would be the LEAST helpful to include in an
objective summary of the article?
(A)
Even though Robinson is a snail scientist, he finds the New
Guinea flatworm disgusting. “As a biologist I can handle most
things, but I find this really revolting,” he said.
(B)
The flatworm is listed as one of the planet’s 100 most invasive
species. Species are considered invasive when they move into new
areas and throw off the balance of plant and animal life there.
(C)
The worm, which is native to New Guinea, has now been
documented in 22 countries. Mostly it has been found in island
nations.
(D)
The latest discovery was made by Makiri Sei, by accident. Sei is
another malacologist, and her office is two doors down from
Robinson's. In August 2014, she was in Miami looking for live
tropical snails to study their genes.
Which section of the article is organized around a sequence of events?
(A)
"Invasive Species Can Wipe Out Other Plants, Animals"
(B)
Introduction [paragraphs 1-4]
(C)
"Flatworm Can Spread Quickly"
(D)
"Fourth Flatworm Found Last Year"
Select the paragraph from the section "Flatworm Can Spread Quickly" that uses
comparison in its structure.
Paragraph 15:
The New Guinea flatworm is not the only invasive species. In fact,
snails have a history of invading new areas too. Robinson was hired as
the first national malacologist in 1995, and, since then, he has seen
outbreaks of invasive snails threatening wheat crops in Montana,
Detroit and Washington state.