First confirmed records with molecular data of the terrestrial flatworm Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878 (Tricladida, Geoplanidae) in Madagascar, Egypt, and South Africa

Abstract

The land flatworm Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878 is the most widely distributed invasive species of land flatworm, being found in over 78 countries. A specimen was recently collected in an urbanized part of the capital city of Antananarivo in Madagascar, identified on the basis of external morphology and later confirmed by molecular methods. This represents the first strictly confirmed occurrence of the species in Madagascar. Previous African records of Bipalium kewense are summarized, and two records from continental Africa (Egypt and South Africa) are confirmed by molecular barcoding.