Many groups of flatworms are parasitic in nature, and some are major pathogens of domestic animals and humans. One group of Turbellaria is the primitive Acoela flatworms that do not have a digestive system as well. Their flattened shape helps overcome this lack of a respiratory system as it allows diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide directly through their body tissues. Flatworms are very simple organisms and lack respiratory or circulatory systems. The Platyhelminthes are a very large group unto themselves and one sub-group, the class Turbellaria, contains over 4500 species and includes the flatworms discussed in this article. Today there are other phylum classified as worms, but the three mentioned are the main groups. Worms are a common name for many organisms, but in general, they have three main phylum, namely: Nematode (nematodes and other roundworms), Annelid (earthworms, bristle worms and other segmented worms) and Platyhelminthes (flatworms). I’ll also touch on some of the confusion that surrounds the commonly used term “redbugs.” Worms in General In this article I will attempt to spell out exactly what flatworms are, and how they can kill marine corals. This month’s featured fish is the Melanarus wrasse, which is reported to be a biological control for flatworms infesting marine corals.
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