| Author Title Journal |
Yamamoto A, Yamamoto K, Kawakatsu M (2004) The first occurrence record of a giant land planarian, Bipalium nobile Kawakatsu et Makino, 1982, from Otaru City in Hokkaido. Bulletin of Otaru Museum 17: 41-46 |
Abstract / Notes
Bipalium nobile Kawakatsu et Makino, 1982, is a giant bipaliid species. Its natural range is considered to be mid-central (and southern ?) China (cf. Kawakatsu, Ogren, Froehlich & Murayama, 2001). This species was at first found in Tokyo in the summer of 1968. During the past 30 years, this exotic bipaliid species may have expanded their domain as the result of commercial distribution of potted garden plants: Honshu (Aomori, Akita, Nigata, Chiba, Kanagawa, Osaka, Yamaguchi Prefs. and Tokyo Metrop.); Shikoku (Kagawa and Kochi Preis.); Kyushu (Nagasaki Pref.). In the summer of 2002, the first specimen of B. nobile was collected in Otaru City, Hokkaido. Until the end of September of 2003, the animal was found from 11 stations in the City. Thus, B. nobile seems to be naturalized in gardens of residential area of Otaru City in Northern Japan.| Home page -- (Main hierarchy) |