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Worms ?: |
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Mike Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 74  View other posts by Mike |
Posted: 21 May 2003 Really off topic this is!, but any help appreciated. Went out to our garden pond last night to spot what I could of the newts, frogs and such. What I found I was not expecting, a large, off white worm of some kind. About 10cm long tapering from on end to the other, what I would call the 'head' end (as it did all the movement and appeared to be searching) was the narrowest and had a round mouth. Along the body the animal went from round at the head to flat at the tail. Worm or leech?, initially I thought leech as the tail end appeared to be anchored, now I wonder if it is a flatworm of some kind? Suggestions.
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515  View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 21 May 2003 If the basal disc(Sucker) was attached to the substrate and the anterior end moved about in the water or around the substrate it sounds almost certainly a Leech. The flat worms are a different shape but can stretch and change a bit they do not have a basal disc and glide along a surface. The Oligochaetes (ordinary worms) move like an earthworm would stretching out but do not have a basal disc. Most leeches feed on small invertebrates such as Water Louse Asellus or Water Snails and only a few in Britain feed on the blood of vertebrates British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090  View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 21 May 2003 Maybe we should have a forum for invertebrates discovered whilst looking for herpetofauna???? I've seen lots of slug, beetle and spider species recently whilst checking a slow-worm survey that I hadn't come across before - no slow-worms though and as for some of the bugs in ponds when torching for GCN, the stuff of nightmares! In all seriousness though, I would be interested in field guides for UK invertebrates if anyone knows of any, and also aquatic plants. Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 21 May 2003 I have picked up several contracts on invertebrates by keeping my eyes open whilst surveying and mentioning my finds to entomologists in my area. All herpetologists should have a general interest as reptiles cannot live in isolation invertebrates are their food and if populations of invertebrates drop or start to change in species found due to changes in the habitat then this may well effect the reptiles. I have found various rare species whilst looking under tins sometimes not knowing how rare they were as some are extremely difficult to identify but if one sees something that looks unusual it is best to inform a local recorder. The problem with the book list is that there is an enormous number of species and the usual field guides only cover the more commonly found or spectacular looking species. I can compile a list if you want. I have found spiders quite difficult to identify and time consuming even with the main field guides and scientific literature. I am just sorting out an aquatic plant book list to send you, although the Collins field guide to Freshwater does cover all plants and animals British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090 View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 21 May 2003 Maybe that new forum would actually make a lot of sense then Dave, I've noticed down the years that large populations of ground spiders often have their attending common lizards, and seen declines in both in some areas. Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Martin Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 87 View other posts by Martin |
Posted: 21 May 2003 I'm no great shakes on insects but can have a stab at a lot. The problem that I found with identifying them is that some books are too basic and the rest are too advanced! There are a couple of books that I used to get me on my way, I'll dig them out later on and post 'em up. Martin. |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090 View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 21 May 2003 Ta Martin, appreciated Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Martin Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 87 View other posts by Martin |
Posted: 22 May 2003 The first one is by the Readers Digest Nature Lovers Library and titled 'Field Guide to the Butterflies and other insects of Britain'. ISBN 0-276-36007-9. Mine was printed in 1984. It is perhaps a bit basic and could be said to not go into enough detail, but I found it very good for getting around groups of insects and making me realise how much more there is to the vast insect subject. It is still close to hand. The other one is the Collins pocket guide series titled 'Insects of Britain and Western Europe' ISBN 0-00-219137-7. Bit more detail, again sort of points you at family type groups. I then gave up on beetles, my first interest in this sphere, and found that I liked Dragonflies. A good book for them is 'Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland' by Steve Brooks, ISBN 0-953-13990-5. Have fun, Martin. |
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Martin Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 87 View other posts by Martin |
Posted: 22 May 2003 Dave funny you mention aquatic plants as that is an area that I have interest in. I mainly use three books; 'Aquatic Plants in Britain and Ireland' C.D. Preston and J.M. Croft, ISBN 0-946589-55-0. Good book generally though not so good on specific identification, some of the sketches perhaps could be clearer - not bad at all though. Next because I live in Hampshire, 'The Flora of Hampshire' ISBN 0-946589-53-4, very good book. Lastly an obscure older book titled 'A Handbook of Water Plants' by Dr. Eva Maria Bursche. God knows where you'd find a copy now, mines printed in 1971! Damn fine little book though. Martin. |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 22 May 2003 Martin I have sent a list to Gemma with Aquatic plants, Terrestrial Invertebrates and Freshwater life that may be useful to non specialists in those particular field. In regard to the Aquatic Plants another good I.D. guide is Haslam,S.,Sinker,C. & Wolseley. 1975 British Water Plants Field Studies 4(2) 243-351 This was also published as a separate reprint. I do have a copy for sale of Bursche which you mentioned which is a good little book. I have a list of about 120 duplicate books and papers on Reptiles, Amphibians and general Natural History that I would like to sell and if anyone is interested and wants me to e-mail them an Excel list please let me know British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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