Robin Gwen Agarwal, USA
Info
Pseudoceros imitatus,Newman, Cannon & Brunckhorst,1994
Pseudoceros imitatus is a flatworm belongs the family Pseudocerotidae. This species mimics the color pattern of the nudibranch Phyllidiella pustulosa.Phyllidiella pustulosa have toxic chemicals in their skin,because of that it is relatively safe from predators.Mimicry protects this flatworm.
This species feeds on colonial ascidians.
Reproduction:
The whirlworm can reproduce both asexually and sexually. This species is hermaphroditic, meaning that it has both male and female reproductive organs. When two whirlworms reproduce, they fight to decide who will be fertilized and who will be the fertilizer. The winner gets to act as the male individual and fertilize the other.
Pseudoceros imitatus is a flatworm belongs the family Pseudocerotidae. This species mimics the color pattern of the nudibranch Phyllidiella pustulosa.Phyllidiella pustulosa have toxic chemicals in their skin,because of that it is relatively safe from predators.Mimicry protects this flatworm.
This species feeds on colonial ascidians.
Reproduction:
The whirlworm can reproduce both asexually and sexually. This species is hermaphroditic, meaning that it has both male and female reproductive organs. When two whirlworms reproduce, they fight to decide who will be fertilized and who will be the fertilizer. The winner gets to act as the male individual and fertilize the other.
