''Pseudoceros ferrugineus'', the Fuchsia flatworm, is a marine
flatworm
The flatworms, flat worms, Platyhelminthes, or platyhelminths (from the Greek πλατύ, ''platy'', meaning "flat" and ἕλμινς (root: ἑλμινθ-), ''helminth-'', meaning "worm") are a phylum of relatively simple bilaterian, unsegment ...
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
that belongs to the
Pseudocerotidae
Pseudocerotidae is a family of flatworms which includes the Bedford's flatworm. Pseudocerotidae are simple organisms categorized by their oval bodies and tentacles and bright colors. They use the cilia to glide along surfaces. Most commonly refer ...
family.
Description
''Pseudoceros ferrugineus'' can reach a length of about 18–48 mm. It has an enlarged oval shape. The upper surface of the body is fuchsia (hence the common name) with small white dots and two marginal bands red and orange without dots.
[Hyman, 1959 : A further study of micronesian Polyclad flatworms. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, vol. 108, n. 3410, p. 571 a]
Biostor
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Morphology
"External anatomy: Large body with several marginal deep ruffles. The color is dark red with the dorsal surface covered by compacted small white dots given the appearance of a brilliant pink surface. There are not two marginal bands, red and orange without white dots. Ventrally, the color is red being more intense towards the margin. Pseudotentacles formed by simple broad folds of the anterior margin with numerous marginal eyes. Cerebral cluster made of a large number of eyespots. Small pharynx with elaborated folds.[Author Bolanos Marcela, extract fro]
Polycladida Life Desks
[
"Internal anatomy: The male reproductive system consists of a branched vas deferens, a long seminal vesicle connected to a short ejaculatory duct, a small prostatic vesicle with two chambers, a muscular prostatic duct, and a small stylet housed in a shallow male antrum. The female system has a shallow antrum with a short vagina directed backwards surrounded by a thick and strong mass of cement gland on its first portion."][
]
Distribution
This species is widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific, from the Indonesian Archipelagos to Central Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Palau in Micronesia, Philippines and the islands of Hawaï.[
]
Habitat
It can be found in the external slope or top coral reef, at a depth of 1–15 m.
Behaviour and feeding
These flatworms are benthic
The benthic zone is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean, lake, or stream, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. The name comes from ancient Greek, βένθος (bénthos), meaning "t ...
and diurnal. Because of their aposematic colors, they have no fear to crawl around to feed. ''Pseudoceros ferrugineus'' feeds on various colonial ascidians.
References
External links
WoRMS
Encyclopedia of Life
Universal Biological Indexer
Pseudoceros ferrugineus at Polycladida Life Desks
Discover Life, Pseudoceros ferrugineus
Bibliography
* Leslie Newman & Lester Cannon, "Marine Flatworms",CSIRO publishing,2003,
* Neville Coleman, "Marine life of Maldives",Atoll editions,2004,
* Andrea & Antonnella Ferrrari,"Macrolife",Nautilus publishing,2003,
Turbellaria
Animals described in 1959
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