Argonemertes australiensis

Australian land nemertean

Argonemertes australiensis, at rest with its proboscis retracted, appears similar to a small slug or land planarian, and is soft and slimy. The species is dioecious with males 10-60 mm long and 1.5-2.5 mm wide, and females 12-84 mm long, and slightly wider especially when gravid with eggs. The anterior extremity is rounded or slightly swollen into a "head" with a single aperture at the tip. Posteriorly the body gently tapers to a blunt end at the anus. The eyes are arranged in four groups on the head. The species exhibits considerable variation in colouration and markings. The body is translucent waxy yellow, orange or light brown in colour, with the head generally slightly darker and ventral surface lighter than the rest of the body. Specimens in the ACT may have a broad median dorsal stripe of dark brown extending almost to the margins, or a pattern of irregular stippling arranged suggesting three dorsal stripes. Proboscis white to a light pink. The proboscis may be everted suddenly , attach, then as an escape reaction, retracting dragging the body away and towards the attached sticky tip.

Argonemertes australiensis is listed in the following regions:

Canberra & Southern Tablelands

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Species information

• Argonemertes australiensis Scientific name
• Australian land nemertean Common name
• Not Sensitive
• Rare or uncommon Native
• Non-Invasive
• 599.9m Recorded at altitude
• Machine learning
• External link More information

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