Persian Carpet Flatworm

Pseudobiceros bedfordi

''Pseudobiceros bedfordi'', is a species of flatworm in the family Pseudocerotidae. This species has two penises, which it uses to ''fence'', in an attempt to inject sperm into its opponent in order to fertilize it, while simultaneously avoiding being fertilized by said opponent.
Persian Carpet Flatworm - Pseudobiceros bedfordi The Persian Carpet Flatworm - Pseudobiceros bedfordi is brightly patterned and when it swims, makes it looks like a carpet, although almost all species of Flatworms swims in the same manner. Geotagged,Persian Carpet Flatworm,Philippines,Pseudobiceros bedfordi,Winter,cebu,moal-boal

Appearance

''Pseudobiceros bedfordi'' is a large polyclad flatworm approximately 8-10 cm in length. It has a distinctive pattern consisting of a brown to black background, with multiple transverse, bilateral pink lines around thousands of tightly spaced, bright yellow spots, pink undulating spots with stripes on the sides of the body....hieroglyph snipped...

The edges of the body are usually ruffled. The underside of ''Pseudobiceros bedfordi'' is pale pink. The front of the body has a pair of erect pseudotentacles.
Persian Carpet Flatworm (Pseudobiceros bedfordi) Pantai Parigi, Lembeh.
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/70533/persian_carpet_flatworm_pseudobiceros_bedfordi.html Geotagged,Indonesia,Persian Carpet Flatworm,Pseudobiceros bedfordi,Spring

Distribution

This species is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, Thailand, Australia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Myanmar, and Palau....hieroglyph snipped...
Persian Carpet Flatworm (Pseudobiceros bedfordi) Pantai parigi, Lembeh.
Same flatworm, taken a bit less close. Geotagged,Indonesia,Persian Carpet Flatworm,Pseudobiceros bedfordi,Spring

Behavior

This worm is fast-moving, and is able to swim by undulating its body.
Penis Fencing Persian Carpet Flatworm The Persian Carpet Flatworm - Pseudobiceros bedfordi are  hermaphroditic and have two penises (can be seen in the picture as  the two white pointed thing). During mating, they fence with one another, using their penises, attempting to stab and inject sperm in their opponent, while avoiding being fertilized by their opponent. They are able to inseminate their opponent by injecting their sperm into any region of the other's body they are able to penetrate. After successfully injecting the other, the spermatozoa stream through their partner's body on their way to ovaries, where they will fertilize the eggs. The stream is visible through the body tissue of the worm, appearing as pale streaks, like lightning jags. Flatworm,Geotagged,Persian Carpet Flatworm,Philippines,Pseudobiceros bedfordi,Spring,cebu,malapascua

Habitat

''Pseudobiceros bedfordi'' is found on coral rubble and ledges in back reefs, coastal bays, and in lagoons.

Reproduction

Like all flatworms in the genus ''Pseudobiceros'', they are hermaphroditic and have two penises. During mating, they fence with one another, using their penises, attempting to stab and inject sperm in their opponent, while avoiding being fertilized by their opponent. They are able to inseminate their opponent by injecting their sperm into any region of the other's body they are able to penetrate. After successfully injecting the other, the spermatozoa stream through their partner's body on their way to ovaries, where they will fertilize the eggs. The stream is visible through the body tissue of the worm, appearing as pale streaks, like lightning jags....hieroglyph snipped...

Food

''Pseudobiceros bedfordi'' feeds on ascidians and on crustaceans that are small enough to swallow.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionPlatyhelminthes
ClassRhabditophora
OrderPolycladida
FamilyPseudocerotidae
GenusPseudobiceros
SpeciesP. bedfordi