Linda's flatworm

Pseudoceros lindae

''Pseudoceros lindae '', common name Linda's flatworm, is a marine Flatworm species that belongs to the Pseudocerotidae family.
Linda's Flatworm - Pseudoceros lindae Pseudoceros 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. Flatworm,Geotagged,Linda's flatworm,Malapascua,Philippines,Pseudoceros lindae,Spring,cebu

Appearance

''Pseudoceros lindae'' can reach a length of 50–80 millimetres. The upper surface of the thick and elongated body shows a wine color 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.
Linda's Flatworm Seen in Malapascua, Philippines (2012). Photo by Mark Bockstael (my husband). It is a marin Flatworm species that belongs to the Pseudocerotidae family. Pseudoceros 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. These 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.
Habitat: It can be found in the external slope or top coral reef.This species is widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific, from Madagascar and the eastern cost of Africa to Indonesia, Philippines and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.          Fall,Geotagged,Philippines,Pseudoceros lindae

Distribution

This species is widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific, from Madagascar and the eastern cost of Africa to Indonesia, Philippines and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

Behavior

These 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.

Habitat

It can be found in the external slope or top coral reef.

Food

These 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.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionPlatyhelminthes
ClassRhabditophora
OrderPolycladida
FamilyPseudocerotidae
GenusPseudoceros
SpeciesPseudoceros lindae
Photographed in
Philippines