New ‘Alien’ Worm Species Invades Southern US, Originating From South America‌ ‌

Amaga pseudobama living specimen was collected in Kingston, North Carolina, in July 2020. PEER J VIA SWNS.

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America has been invaded by a new “alien” species of worm, reveals new research.

The dark-colored creature was first spotted in a North Carolina nursery in 2020.

It was subsequently identified as a new species.

The flatworms – just a few centimeters long – have since been discovered in several states of the southern US.

Scientists believe that it originated in South America – but they’re not sure exactly which country it comes from,

They say the new species resembles another flatworm called Obama nungara, which has invaded much of Europe.

The new species has been named Amaga pseudobama in reference to the resemblance.

An international research team included scientists from the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France, Drexel University and North Carolina State University in the United States, James Cook University in Australia, plus the University of Szczecin in Poland.

They reported their findings in the journal PeerJ.

Dr. Leigh Winsor of James Cook University subsequently identified the flatworm first spotted in North Carolina as a new species.

Study author Professor Jean-Lou Justine said: “This research must be placed in the context of invasive species.

“Often, these species proliferate in the country where they were introduced while they are unknown in the country of origin.