This site is intended as an online repository for taxonomic and phylogenetic information on the Macrostomorpha, a basal group of free-living flatworms, with particular emphasis for the genus Macrostomum. According to current molecular phylogenies the Macrostomorpha are the most basal taxon of the Rhabditophora, which encompass all free-living flatworms (except for the Catenulida) and all the parasitic flatworms.

One problem with these (and many other) free-living flatworms, is that they are tiny and fragile creatures. They are often only 1mm long and one therefore cannot usually perform DNA sequence analyses and have a reference specimen at the same time (as entire worms are frequently used for DNA extraction).

Detailed photomicrographic documentation of the still living worm can serve as a suitable reference left of a sequenced specimen. In contrast, the classical deposited reference specimens are serial sections on slides, which are informative for detailed anatomical studies, but which are neither suitable for genetic analyses nor useful for species identification in the field. We therefore think that detailed photomicrographic documentation, appropriately organised, annotated and accessible through the web, will usually be much more informative for the general biologist who encounters these creatures.

(iView) Media Pro possibly resurrected from a near death experience

Edited by lukas.scharer on 13. May 2011 - 13:34

I am relieved to announce that the software, iView Media Pro, with which I am currently cataloging my extensive collection of flatworm image, video and audio files (>25'000) has hopefully been resurrected from a near death experience, which it suffered when Microsoft bought iView Media Pro in June 2006 (only to rename it Expression Media and halt any serious development).

Research on Taxonomic Characters and One New Recorded Species of Genus Macrostomum (Platyhelminthes, Macrostomida) from China.

Edited by lukas.scharer on 14. May 2011 - 10:17

I here would like to announce the publication of a study on the geographic distribution and temporal effects on stylet formation of Macrostomum saifunicum in China. The study is in Chinese with an English summary. The PDF has been added to the bibliography.

(Edited for the authors by Lukas Schärer)

PDF of the 'Monograph' of Anno Faubel removed from the site

Edited by lukas.scharer on 5. April 2011 - 16:56

Anno Faubel has today asked me via email to please remove the PDF file of his unpublished 'Monograph'. I of course regret that such a useful document will no longer be available to the general public, especially as his website at the University of Hamburg, were I originally discovered the Monograph, seems no longer functional.

Batch image upload and annotation is finally working again

Submitted by lukas.scharer on 18. March 2011 - 15:28

The Scratchpads Team has finally rolled out a working solution for batch image upload and annotation, after an unfortunate hiatus of well over a year. I have therefore recently been able to start uploading specimens again, and hope to find some more time for this in the near future.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to all the users that have either sent me worms or images of worms, and who had hoped that these specimens would go online soon. I hope this will happen soon.

Macrostomum Culturing Methods

Edited by dita.vizoso on 17. March 2011 - 8:24

The website with the general methods for culturing Macrostomum has been updated.  There you can now find the General MacLab Guidelines, with, well, guidelines and tips for the succesful breeding of different Macrostomum species feeding on diatoms.

Training course in Lugano

Edited by lukas.scharer on 29. November 2010 - 8:59

I just attended a Scratchpads Training course organized by the Swiss Systematics Society, which took place on Thursday, November 25, in the Natural History Museum of the canton Ticino.

Some thoughts on the 'Monograph' of Anno Faubel

Edited by lukas.scharer on 24. May 2010 - 15:30

About a year ago Anno Faubel of the University of Hamburg, Germany, posted a PDF document on his website, entitled 'Monograph of the Macrostomida and Haplopharyngida (Plathelminthes: Rhabditophora)'. This document offers the most comprehensive literature collection on the Macrostomorpha since Ferguson's monograph in 1954. Moreover, it gives a detailed introduction to the morphology and ecology of these animals, and a list of the described species.

Ongoing worm conflicts or Why we think macrostomid sperm are so flabbergasting.

Edited by dita.vizoso on 18. February 2010 - 10:57

And not only the sperm (although here you can see some amazing sperm movies, and access the pdf)...

Macrostomum lignano in copula

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