Pseudoceros scriptus

Pseudoceros scriptus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Turbellaria
Order: Polycladida
Family: Pseudocerotidae
Genus: Pseudoceros
Species: P. scriptus
Binomial name
Pseudoceros scriptus
Newman & Cannon, 1998

Pseudoceros scriptus is a marine flatworm species that belongs to the Pseudocerotidae family. This species is commonly known as the script flatworm.

Distribution

Tropical Indo-Pacific, from the Archipelago of Maldives to Australia.

Habitat

External slope or top of coral reefs.

Size

Up to 2 inches (5.1 cm).

Physical characteristics

"External anatomy: Cream yellowish background fading to white towards the margin with irregular black maculae on either side of the median line and an orange marginal band. The ventral side is cream becoming darker towards the margin and a wide orange marginal band. The pseudotentacles are formed by simple folds of the anterior margin. Cerebral cluster with about 40 eyespots. Pharynx is formed by elaborated folds. Internal anatomy: The male system is formed by unbranched vas deferens, an oblong seminal vesicle, an oval prostatic vesicle, and a short cuticular stylet housed in a deep, folded, and voluminous antrum. The female antrum is shallow with a narrow and short vagina surrounded by the cement glands."[1]

Behaviour

Benthic, diurnals, because of its aposematic colors, it has no fear to crawl around to feed.

Feeding

Pseudoceros scriptus feeds on various colonial ascidians.

Bibliographical References

  1. ↑ Author Bolanos Marcela, extract from http://polycladida.lifedesks.org/pages/3134
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