Script Flatworm

Pseudoceros scriptus is a marine flatworm species that belongs to the Pseudocerotidae family.

Description

External anatomy: Cream purpulish background fading to white towards the margin with irregular black maculae on either side of the yellow 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.

Distribution

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

Habitat

External slope or top from coral reef. Benthic, diurnals, because of its aposematic colors, it has no fear to crawl around to feed. Pseudoceros scriptus feeds on various colonial ascidians.