Pseudobiceros hancockanus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pseudobiceros hancockanus | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
| Order: | Polycladida |
| Suborder: | Cotylea |
| Family: | Pseudocerotidae |
| Genus: | Pseudobiceros |
| Species: | P. hancockanus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudobiceros hancockanus (Collingwood, 1876) | |
Pseudobiceros hancockanus is a species of hermaphroditic marine flatworm in the family Pseudocerotidae. It is also known as Hancock's flatworm.
According to the Baensch Marine Atlas, "P. hancockanus is intense blue to black with white and orange peripheral bands and a purple fringe. The two short cephalic antennaie are easily overlooked because they are the same color as the body. Inferiorly, this species is purple with a medial line."[1] P. hancockanus is very similar in appearance to P. uniarborensis, although the margin of P. uniarborensis is translucent gray with a white line only on the outside, while the margin of P. hancockanus is pure bright white.[2] It can grow up to 14 cm (5.5 inch) in length.[3]
Habitat and distribution
Diet
It is thought to feed on small invertebrates that live in sponges in coral reefs rather than eating the coral itself.[3]
