Flatworms - Phylum Platyhelminthes 
 
 

Introduced Species

There are approximately 25 000 known species of flatworms. The Phylum Platyhelminthes has four major classes, three of which are exclusively parasitic.  The other, Class Turbellaria, contains free swimming flatworms, mainly marine. Most are less than 10 mm long, and are rarely noticed. Most are carnivorous and eat a range of soft coral, bryozoan or other sessile invertebrates.

  • Kingdom Animalia
  • Phylum Platyhelminthes
  • Notoplana australis  - Brown Flatworm
    •

    Notoplana australis - Brown Flatworm
    (Edgar, 1997)
    Habitat: Sheltered and moderately exposed shores, low intertidal
    Distribution: SA to NSW and around Tasmania
    Maximum size: Length to 40 mm
    Diet: Sessile invertebrates, bryozoans
    References:
    Comments: This is the flatworm most commonly found around Woodbridge, particularly on the local foreshore at low tide.