Pseudoceros lactolimbus

, Pseudoceros lactolimbus

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf, Yellow Sea

Pseudoceros lactolimbus is a species of flatworm belonging to the family Pseudocerotidae. It is a colorful and relatively large flatworm, commonly found in tropical and subtropical marine environments.

Description & Characteristics

Pseudoceros lactolimbus is known for its striking appearance. Its body is typically elongated and oval-shaped, often reaching a maximum size of several centimeters. The dorsal surface, or upper side, exhibits a vibrant coloration, often featuring a combination of bright yellow, orange, and red hues. These colors are typically arranged in a distinct pattern, often with contrasting bands or patches. The ventral surface, or underside, is typically lighter in color, often appearing white or cream.

Habitat and Occurrence

Pseudoceros lactolimbus is primarily found in shallow coastal waters, inhabiting rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and other marine habitats. It is a common sight in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Its distribution encompasses a wide range of marine zones, from the intertidal zone to depths of several meters. The species’ preference for these environments is likely influenced by the availability of food sources and suitable conditions for its survival.

Taxonomy

Pseudoceros lactolimbus is classified within the Order Polycladida, which encompasses a diverse group of flatworms known for their complex reproductive systems and often vibrant coloration. The family Pseudocerotidae is characterized by its members’ typically flattened, elongated bodies and the presence of a distinctive “pseudocerotid gland,” a specialized structure involved in the production of mucus.

Feeding

Pseudoceros lactolimbus is a carnivorous flatworm, primarily feeding on other invertebrates. Its diet consists of small organisms like crustaceans, mollusks, and other worms. The flatworm captures its prey using its muscular pharynx, a specialized structure that can be extended outwards to engulf food. The digestive process occurs within a central cavity, where nutrients are absorbed and waste products are eliminated.

Associated Species

Image References

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