Pseudoceritidae

Taxobox
name = Pseudocerotidae

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image_width = 200px
image_caption = "Pseudoceros ferrugineus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Platyhelminthes
classis = Turbellaria
subclassis = Archoophora
ordo = Polycladida
familia = Pseudocerotidae
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = "Pseudoceros" "Thysanozoon" "Acanthozoon" "Phrikoceros" "Bulaceors" "Pseudobiceros" "Yungia

Pseudocerotidae is a family of flatworms.

External links

*ITIS|ID=54176|taxon="Pseudocerotidae"|year=2006|date=16 February

ORDERPolycladidaFAMILYPseudoceridaeTAXONOMYPseudoceros ferrugineus Hyman 1959 Palau, Indonesia.OTHER COMMON NAMESNone known.PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICSElongate worm 0.7 in long by 0.4 in wide (18 mm long by 11 mm wide); may get larger. Two slightly developed nuchal tentacles. Body is deep red with white flecks or dots centrally located; yellowish band around the margin with deeper shades of purple between margin and central area with flecks. This genus is speciose on coral reefs and colors vary considerably between species ranging from bright pink and orange to blue and green.DISTRIBUTIONTropical coral reefs in South Africa, Red Sea, Indo-Pacific, and Hawaii. HABITATCoral reefs often under rubble.BEHAVIORDisplays aposematic coloration to prevent predation.FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIETMany species of the genus Pseudoceros, including P. ferrugineus, feed on colonial tunicates.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGYHermaphroditic, eggs hatch as Muller's larva that will settle out in a few days and metamorphose into a juvenile resembling the adult.CONSERVATION STATUSNot threatened.SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANSAesthetic value for scuba divers.Pseudoceros ferrugineus Hyman 1959. The Fuchsia Flatworm Central and Western Pacific at moderate depths. Out during both day and night, often appearing bluish until artificial light is applied, and more round when fully opened.