SaltCity forum member “Shadowramy” and his recent aquisition of Acro Eating FlatWorms (AEFWs) could be the best thing that has ever happened to those who are infected with reefing herpes. Shadowramy turned over the infected corals to Eric Borneman who has kicked off an AEFW study with polyclad expert Dr. Kate Rawlinson. The first order of business is determining exactly what the AEFWs are and the details of their life cycle. After just a few days of handling the AEFW material, Dr. Rawlinson has discovered that the AEFW undergoes larval development within the egg and it metomorphoses before hatching. The tiny AEFW juvies then quickly swim “into” the coral skeleton, which helps to explain why eradicating AEFWs completely might prove to be very difficult. The reefing community thanks Shadowramy, Eric B. and Dr. Rawlinson for their efforts. Image above by Kate Rawlinson. To keep up with new developments on the project please visit the AEFW study thread on SaltCity.
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