First record of land flatworm Dolichoplana striata Moseley, 1877 from Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, India

Planaria, a category of flatworm, has emerged as a captivating topic for zootaxonomists investigating biological phenomena, especially regeneration. Land planaria belong to the phylum Platyhelminthes and encompass approximately 900 species that have been recognized and documented globally; however, there is a scarcity of records from countries such as India. We have observed and subsequently identified a distinctive species of land flatworm, taxonomically designated as Dolichoplana striata, in the Asma complex area of Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, India, which was initially described by Moseley in 1877. Mobile photography was conducted without disturbing the organisms, and measurements in centimeters (total length and diameter) were recorded, while morphological characteristics were meticulously examined and compared with existing records for species identification. The light olive-brown body, creeping sole, and the presence of four distinctly visible dark stripes on the dorsal side suggest that it may belong to the genus Dolichoplana and species striata. This highly predatory flatworm preys on small mollusks and insects, earthworms, and exhibits cannibalistic behavior as well. Most current literature indicates that Dolichoplana striata is predominantly found in European nations, with minimal references to its occurrence in India. Therefore, we considered it essential to document the presence of this species, which could motivate the biological community in the country to recognize and study this worm within the realm of biological sciences.