News Animals

Mysterious neurotoxin may help flatworms kill prey

Tetrodotoxin, the deadly chemical in pufferfish, makes first appearance in land invertebrate

TOXIC ASSETS  Two terrestrial flatworms, Bipalium adventitium and Bipalium kewense (shown), may carry a deadly chemical called tetrodotoxin, which could help the invertebrates stun their earthworm prey.

gailhampshire/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

By Beth Mole

- More than 2 years ago

An infamous neurotoxin may be the secret weapon of goo-slurping flatworms.