Pseudoceros lindae, common name Linda's flatworm, is a marine Flatworm species that belongs to the Pseudocerotidae family.
| Pseudoceros lindae | |
|---|---|
| |
| A live individual of Pseudoceros lindae, in situ off Madagascar | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
| Order: | Polycladida |
| Family: | Pseudocerotidae |
| Genus: | Pseudoceros |
| Species: | P. lindae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudoceros lindae (Newman & Cannon, 1994)
| |
Description
editPseudoceros lindae can reach a length of 50–80 millimetres (2.0–3.1 in). The upper surface of the thick and elongated body shows a wine color (burgundy) background with turquoise margins and a variable number oval to round yellow-golden spots. This pattern may vary from one individual to another especially in the density of points. The ventral side is light purple. Each pseudotentacle is formed by a broad simple fold of the anterior margins of the body. Also pharynx is formed by highly elaborated folds. This species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, so it can make cross fecundation. There is a single male reproductive organ, that penetrates in any part of the mate's body, and the females have a short vagina directed backwards.[1][2]
Behaviour and feeding
editThese flatworms are benthic and diurnals. Because of their aposematic colors, they have no fear to crawl around to feed. "Pseudoceros lindae" feeds on various colonial ascidians.[2]
Distribution
editThis species is widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific, from Madagascar and the eastern coast of Africa to Indonesia, Philippines and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.[1][2]
Habitat
editIt can be found in the external slope or top coral reef.[2]
Bibliography
edit- Leslie Newman & Lester Cannon, 1994 : Pseudoceros and Pseudobiceros (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida, Pseudocerotidae) from Eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, vol. 37, p. 205–266
- Leslie Newman & Lester Cannon, "Marine Flatworms",CSIRO publishing,2003,ISBN 0-643-06829-5
- Neville Coleman, "Marine life of Maldives",Atoll editions,2004,ISBN 187-6410-361
- Andrea & Antonnella Ferrrari,"Macrolife",Nautilus publishing,2003,ISBN 983-2731-00-3
References
edit- ^ a b Author Bolanos Marcela Life Desks Marine Flatworms
- ^ a b c d World Database of Marine Species Archived 2012-05-27 at the Wayback Machine
External links
edit- Life Desk, Pseudoceros lindae
- Discover Life, Pseudoceros lindae
- Turbellarian taxonomic database, Pseudoceros lindae
- Nudipixel
- Photos of Pseudoceros lindae on Sealife Collection
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