| Pseudoceros | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pseudoceros liparus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
| Order: | Polycladida |
| Family: | Pseudocerotidae |
| Genus: | Pseudoceros Lang, 1884 [1] |
Pseudoceros is a genus of the flatworms Platyhelminthes.
Easily recognized features within the genus include a ruffled pharynx, [2] branched intestines, [2] and tentacles on the leading edge. [3] [2] The tentacles may act as chemoreceptors and may also have primitive eyes, simple light-sensitive cells, on them. [3] The Polyclad worms are acoelomates and bilaterally symmetrical. [4]
Color is the main identifier within the family Pseudocerotidae to separate it into genera, as it can be difficult to distinguish internal reproductive anatomy between genera. [5] Because of the similarities in body plan and structure, it is assumed that chemical cues are how these organisms can recognize their own species and differentiate between others. [5]
The intense coloring and patterning on these flatworms could be used to camouflage with their surroundings, [6] confuse and elude predators, [6] to communicate with other members of the species, [6] or as aposematism [6] [7] to warn predators of their deadly toxins. The cells and the pigments they contain that are responsible for this coloring have not been well-studied, but one common theory is that they may be ommochrome pigments, although no discoveries have been made to prove this. [6]
Pseudoceros are generally found in tropical and subtropical waters. They are populous in the Indo-Pacific region and have been found as far north as Puget Sound, [8] where Pseudoceros canadensis has been identified, but mostly tend to stay in warmer waters.
Pseudoceros are simultaneous hermaphrodites [9] and reproduce sexually via random hypodermic insemination through the body tissue. [10] These organisms participate in penis fencing, [9] which is a behavior where the flatworms use their extended penises to stab and inseminate the other, while avoiding becoming inseminated themselves. After successful fertilization, these flatworms are known to lay egg masses on the benthos. [9] Numbers of eggs, egg size, and developmental time vary between species.
Pseudocerosindicus will display parental care in the form of brooding activity. [11] Pseudoceros will hatch into Muller's larvae [11] and undergo indirect development and metamorphosis before becoming an adult organism. [11]
Historically, studying flatworms has been a time and labor-intensive job, generally done through live drawings of specimens, preservation of hard parts (which led to the loss of important information pertaining to the soft parts), and very detailed anatomical studies based on serial sections. [12] More recent technological advances have allowed for scientists to combine photomicrography with molecular analyses to more easily study these organisms. [12]
There is currently no consensus on what the best method of identification for Pseudoceros is. The two main theories are that species can be identified solely based on their color patterns and that species should be identified based on their reproductive organs instead of coloration. [13] Because of this, identification methods vary within the biological community.
In concordance with the theory that species should be identified based on color patterns, a new method for preserving Pseudoceros samples was developed in 1995 by Cannon and Newman. This method utilizes FCA-PGPP, or Formaldehyde Calcium Acetate-Propylene Glycol, Propylene Phenoxetol, [14] as the fixative. The worms are placed onto filter paper which is placed on top of a frozen layer of the fixative, and this preserves color accurately. [14]
As of 2000, there are 13 genera in the family Pseudocerotidae that comprise an estimated at least 500 species, of which the genus Pseudoceros made up about 75% until the genus Pseudobiceros was separated. [15]
The following species are recognised in the genus Pseudoceros: [16]
Pseudocerotidae is a family of flatworms which includes the Bedford's flatworm. Pseudocerotidae are simple organisms categorized by their oval bodies and tentacles and bright colors. They use the cilia to glide along surfaces. Most commonly referred to as marine flatworms, closely related to the orders Macrostomorpha and Lecithoepitheliata. These organisms have very complex reproductive systems, no blood systems or organs for gas exchange, a simple brain and are hermaphroditic.
Pseudobiceros is a genus of flatworms. Like all flatworms, Pseudobiceros are hermaphrodites. This particular genus engages in penis fencing. When the "winner" touches its penis to the "skin" of the other, insemination occurs, and the "loser" has to bear the burden of motherhood.
Phyllidiella pustulosa, the pustulose wart slug, pimpled phyllidiella, or pustulose phyllidiella, is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, in the family Phyllidiidae.
Euryleptidae is a family of marine polyclad flatworms.
Maritigrella crozierae, the tiger flatworm, is a species of marine polyclad flatworm in the family Euryleptidae. It is found on the eastern coasts of North America and the Caribbean Sea where it feeds on colonial sea squirts.
Microplana is a genus of land planarians found in Europe and Africa.
Pseudoceros bifurcus is a marine flatworm species that belongs to the family Pseudocerotidae.
Pseudoceros ferrugineus, the Fuchsia flatworm, is a marine flatworm species that belongs to the Pseudocerotidae family.
Pseudoceros lindae, common name Linda's flatworm, is a marine Flatworm species that belongs to the Pseudocerotidae family.
Pseudoceros scriptus is a marine flatworm species that belongs to the Pseudocerotidae family. This species is commonly known as the script flatworm.
Thysanozoon is a genus of polyclad flatworms belonging to the family Pseudocerotidae.
Acotylea is a suborder of free-living marine turbellarian flatworms in the order Polycladida.
Cotylea is a suborder of free-living marine turbellarian flatworms in the order Polycladida.
Acanthozoon is a genus of polyclad flatworms belonging to the family Pseudocerotidae.
Diana Marcela Bolaños Rodríguez is a Colombian marine biologist who has studied and classified various types of platyhelminths. She was a recipient of the L'Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship for Women in Science in 2010, was selected as Colombian biologist of the year in 2012, and in 2013 was named by the BBC as one of the top ten women in science in Latin America.
Diversibipalium is a genus of land planarians of the subfamily Bipaliinae. It was erected to include species lacking sufficient morphological information to allow them to be classified in the appropriate genus.
Notocomplana is a genus of flatworms. It is the only genus in the monotypic family Notocomplanidae.
Pseudoceros canadensis, commonly known as the Puget flatworm, is a species of free-living flatworm in the genus Pseudoceros, belonging to the family Pseudocerotidae.
Pseudobiceros fulgor, also known the lightning worm, is a species of marine flatworm from the family Pseudocerotidae and belongs to the class Turbellaria. These flatworms are commonly found in the tropics of the Indo-Pacific region. They can be found in shallow coral reef environments.
Pseudoceros sapphirinus, known as the sapphire flatworm, is a species of flatworm in the family Pseudocerotidae. The species can be found in the waters of Queensland and Palau.
Data related to Pseudoceros at Wikispecies
