Pseudobiceros fulgor

Pseudobiceros fulgor,[1] also known the lightning worm, is a species of marine flatworm from the family Pseudocerotidae and belongs to the class Turbellaria.[2] These flatworms are commonly found in the tropics of the Indo-Pacific region.[3] They can be found in shallow coral reef environments.

Pseudobiceros fulgor
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Order: Polycladida
Family: Pseudocerotidae
Genus: Pseudobiceros
Species:
P. fulgor
Binomial name
Pseudobiceros fulgor
Newman & Cannon, 1994

Pseudobiceros fulgor like all flatworms, are triploblastic, meaning 3 germ layers present during development.[4] These organisms are also acoelomate, lacking a body cavity between their gut and body wall. Pseudobiceros fulgor are bilaterally symmetrical, this helps to aid in their movement and navigation in their environment. During embryonic development stages they undergo mostly spiral cleavage. This influences the organization of their cells during development.

Habitat

Pseudobiceros fulgor are commonly found in the tropic and subtropical oceans of the world.[5] They inhabit shallow coral reefs, internal areas and seagrass beds that can be shared with crustaceans and mollusks. A key feature that helps Pseudobiceros fulgor with survivability in their environment is the ability to regenerate its body when injured. They are drawn towards areas with moderate water flow and high nutrient availability.[6]

Feeding

Pseudobiceros fulgor are carnivorous and feed on small invertebrates. To do this they use a specialized structure called a proboscis. They have a protrusible pharynx[7] which is a tube like structure that extends out of the mouth. It is lined with tiny teeth that allows for them to grab and break down food. It is an important adaptation and helps to aid in their survivability.

Reproduction

Pseudobiceros fulgor are hermaphroditic, which means that the male and female both have their respected reproductive organ. Internal fertilization takes place when sperm and egg come together.[8] The fertilized eggs develop into juvenile flatworms and mature as smaller version of the adult due to no larval stage.[9]

Movement

In order to move, Pseudobiceros fulgor use cilia which are hair like structures that cover the entirety of their body. The cilia which is a hair like structure beats back and forth in a wave like motion to propel the organisms forward. The flatworms can also use muscle contractions to traverse over the seafloor. The contractions are also useful in capturing prey and defending against predators.[10]

Sensory systems

Pseudobiceros fulgor has a simple yet effective sensory system that helps it navigate and respond to stimuli. Sensory cells are scattered throughout its body that help to detect things such as light in the water. The sensory cells are connected to the ganglia, which acts as a rudimentary brain.[11] Pseudobiceros fulgor have chemoreceptors which are specialized to detect chemical stimuli in the water. Additionally mechanoreceptors aid in detecting changes to pressure and touch.

Defining features

Coloration is a major defining feature for Pseudobiceros fulgor. The background color of orange brown and the longitudinal broken streaks of white are what deems them the lightning worm. They have pseudotentacles which appear as ear like structures. A short Pharynx with 4 folds on each side is what helps classify them from other Turbellaria.[12]

References
  1. Dixit, Sudhanshu; Manjebrayakath, Hashim; Saravanane, Narayanane (March 2021). "Two new Pseudoceros (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) from Agatti Island, India and a species checklist from Indian waters". Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 101 (2): 253–263. doi:10.1017/S0025315421000151. S2CID 233691686.
  2. Rieger, Reinhard M. (1998). "100 Years of Research on 'Turbellaria'". Hydrobiologia. 383 (1/3): 1–27. doi:10.1023/A:1003423025252. S2CID 28860294.
  3. Bahia, Juliana; Schrödl, Michael (29 March 2016). "Pseudobiceros wirtzi sp. nov. (Polycladida: Cotylea) from Senegal with revision of valid species of the genus". Zootaxa. 4097 (1): 101–117. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4097.1.5. PMID 27394527.
  4. Cannon, Lester Robert Glen; Francis, Steven (1986). Turbellaria of the World: A Guide to Families & Genera. Queensland Museum. ISBN 978-0-7242-1631-4.
  5. Newman, Leslie J; Cannon, Lester R. G. (1997). "Nine new species of Pseudobiceros (Platyhelminthes : Polycladida) from the Indo-Pacific" (PDF). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 45 (2): 341–368.
  6. Bolaños, D. Marcela; Gan, Bin Qi; Ong, Rene S. L. (2016). "First records of pseudocerotid flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Cotylea) from Singapore: A taxonomic report with remarks on colour variation" (PDF). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 34: 130–169.
  7. McDonald, Jillian C.; Jones, Hugh D. (10 January 2014). "Feeding, maintenance and reproduction of Microplana terrestris (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Continenticola: Geoplaninae: Microplaninae) under laboratory conditions". Journal of Natural History. 48 (1–2): 1–34. doi:10.1080/00222933.2013.809169. S2CID 55535847.
  8. Chim, C. K.; Ong, Rene S. L.; Gan, B. Q. (2015). "Penis fencing, spawning, parental care and embryonic development in the cotylean flatworm Pseudoceros indicus (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) from Singapore" (PDF). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 31: 60–67. OCLC 6022778679.
  9. Trouvé, Sandrine; Sasal, Pierre; Jourdane, Joseph; Renaud, François; Morand, Serge (3 July 1998). "The evolution of life-history traits in parasitic and free-living platyhelminthes: a new perspective". Oecologia. 115 (3): 370–378. doi:10.1007/s004420050530. PMID 28308429. S2CID 28173060.
  10. Bolanos, Diana (2008). Comparative embryology and muscle development of polyclad flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Rhabditophora) (Thesis). ProQuest 304525218.
  11. Kotikova, E. A.; Raikova, O. I. (February 2008). "Architectonics of the central nervous system of Acoela, Platyhelminthes, and Rotifera". Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology. 44 (1): 95–108. doi:10.1134/S002209300801012X. S2CID 13786323.
  12. Andrimida, Anthon; Hermawan, Rudi (2020). "Assessing cryptic marine fauna diversity as underwater macrophotography (UMP) objects in Sempu Strait, Indonesia". E3S Web of Conferences. 153: 01001. doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202015301001. S2CID 212794974.
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