Divided Flatworm
Pseudoceros dimidiatus
This colorful flatworm can grow to be roughly three inches and are typically found in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Their bright colors serve as warnings for predators. They move with cilia, small hair-like structures on the bottom of their body which allow them to move quickly along rocky reefs. For this reason, they are often confused with sea slugs.
A divided flatworm moving along rocks
They eat by crawling over their prey and sucking them in through a tube-like extension in its mouth that also acts as a grinder. Their diet includes smaller invertebrates like snails and worms.
These flatworms alo fall into the group of hermaphrodite, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. The mother is chosen through "fencing", a duel in which one tries to impregnate the other. The loser is the one that gets fertilized and serves as the mother.
These flatworms alo fall into the group of hermaphrodite, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. The mother is chosen through "fencing", a duel in which one tries to impregnate the other. The loser is the one that gets fertilized and serves as the mother.