First Record of the Hammer-Headed Worm (Bipalium spp) along with Checklist of Invertebrate Fauna from Patna, Bihar, India

Abstract

There are records of hammerhead flatworms from many parts of India, but no information from Bihar. The hammer-headed worm was first recorded in the campus of Patna Science College in August 2022.  Hammer-headed worms (Bipalium spp.) are known for their unique appearance and behavior, which make them fascinating to researchers and nature enthusiasts alike. These worms have a distinct hammer-shaped head, which contains two eyes and sensory organs that help them detect prey. The authors noted that the spread of exotic land planarians in the region is likely due to human activities such as trade and transportation, and recommended further studies to assess their impact on native soil-dwelling invertebrates. This study emphasizes the importance of conducting regular surveys to document the biodiversity including the soil invertebrates.