New Zealand Flatworm (Arthurdendyus triangulatus) records for Scotland 2008-2014

Quality Control

The dataset is as reliable as the publica^??s description of the worms found and the ability of the scheme administrator to make a clear identification of New Zealand flatworm from that. In some cases specimens and/or images were provided, enabling a high level of confidence in identifications. The primary location information submitted for the majority of records was a postcode, supported in most cases by additional address details. The postcodes were converted to 4-figure OS grid references (1 km resolution) based on the centroid of the postcode area. Many postcode areas do not lie within a single OS grid square, so some sightings may have been in an adjacent square to that shown. In the case of some rural areas, or where only an incomplete postcode was provided, postcode areas can be extensive, and if the location could not be confirmed from supporting information, these records were mapped at only 10 km resolution. In cases where the recorder provided a grid reference, this has been used rather than the postcode. These capture-level grid references are generally accurate to 100 m or 10 m resolution. If users of the Gateway identify potential errors in the dataset then these should be reported to Brian.Boag@hutton.ac.uk, who will consider all feedback.

Method steps

1. ‘Citizen science’ records were supplied by the public to Dr Brian Boag, The James Hutton Institute, the point of contact for the public reporting sightings of New Zealand Flatworms in Scotland, mainly from gardens, allotments and nurseries. In some cases specimens and/or images were provided to assist identification. The primary location information submitted for the majority of records was a postcode, supported in most cases by additional address details. Some recorders provided a grid reference, often from a GPS device.

The records in this dataset relate to Scotland, mainly from gardens, allotments and nurseries, but a small number of sightings were received for elsewhere in the UK.