Prostoma jenningsi facts for kids

Prostoma jenningsi is a special kind of ribbon worm. It's only ever been found in one place near Croston, Lancashire, in England. Scientists first described it in 1971. It's thought to be the only animal species that lives only in Lancashire. This worm can grow up to 20 millimeters long. That's about the length of two small peas! It has 4 to 6 black eyespots and a long, stretchy feeding tube called a proboscis.

Where Prostoma jenningsi Lives

The only place P. jenningsi has ever been found is a former clay pit. This pit is now a pond used for fishing fun. It's located between Bretherton and Croston in Chorley borough, Lancashire.

Scientists discovered this worm there in 1967. Ray Gibson and Johnstone O. Young officially described it in 1971. It's believed to be the only animal species that lives only in Lancashire.

Before P. jenningsi was found, only a few other freshwater ribbon worms had been seen in the British Isles. These were found in rivers like the River Cherwell and the River Cam.

What Prostoma jenningsi Looks Like

Prostoma jenningsi is a thin worm. It has an oval shape when you look at it from the end. When they are young, these worms are clear white. As they get older, they turn a yellowish color. Eventually, they become dark yellowish or pale reddish-brown.

When they hatch, they are only about 0.5 millimeters long. They get their adult colors when they are about 6 millimeters long. Fully grown, they can reach up to 20 millimeters in length.

This worm has 4 to 6 black eyespots on top of its head. It also has a special feeding tube called a proboscis. This proboscis can be pushed out and is about two-thirds to three-quarters the length of its body. It has one main sharp point called a stylet. It also has two small pouches, each with 2 to 5 extra stylets.

P. jenningsi is one of eleven species in the group called Prostoma. To tell it apart from other similar species, scientists usually need to look at it very closely inside. One special thing about it is that its proboscis has eleven nerves. Other species in its group usually have nine or ten nerves.

The name jenningsi was given to honor J. B. Jennings. He was a scientist from the University of Leeds who studied how invertebrates digest food.

How Prostoma jenningsi Lives

Prostoma jenningsi lives among the plants at the edges of the pond. These plants include Juncus effusus, Elodea canadensis, Myriophyllum spicatum, Phragmites communis, Potamogeton natans, and Typha latifolia.

The number of these worms changes throughout the year. There are fewer worms when the plants are growing the most.