Pseudobiceros hancockanus
Pseudobiceros hancockanus is a species of hermaphroditic marine flatworm in the family Pseudocerotidae. It is also known as Hancock's Flatworm.
| Pseudobiceros hancockanus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
| Order: | Polycladida |
| Suborder: | Cotylea |
| Family: | Pseudocerotidae |
| Genus: | Pseudobiceros |
| Species: | P. hancockanus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudobiceros hancockanus (Collingwood, 1876) | |
Description
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
Pseudobiceros hancockanus lives in warm seas, sometimes on coral reefs, other times among coral fragments or stones.[1] It has been observed near such places as Indonesia, Fiji, and Kenya.[4]
Diet
It is thought to feed on small invertebrates that live in sponges in coral reefs rather then eating the coral itself. [3]
Behavior
Pseudobiceros hancockanus can travel long distances, swimming by undulating the edges of its body.[1]
Reproduction
Like other members of the genus Pseudobiceros, P. hancockanus is hermaphroditic with each individual able to function as either a male or female. Mating between two such worms involves penis fencing, as each worm tries to inject sperm into the other with one of its two stubby penises, while trying to avoid being inseminated itself. One explanation advanced for this behavior is that the female role entails more investment in the resulting fertilized eggs.[5] Another possible explanation is that the duel awards mating advantage to the better of two dueling partners—so that penis duel's loser, becoming the "female," is compensated by creating offspring with genes even better than hers.[6]
References
- Harry Erhardt; Horst Moosleitner (1998). Baensch Marine Atlas, Volume 2. Steven Simpson Books. p. 519. ISBN 3-88244-054-6.
- "Pseudobiceros uniarborensis". Wild Singapore. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- Museum, c=AU; co=Queensland Government; ou=Queensland. "Hancock's Flatworm". www.qm.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "Pseudobiceros hancockanus". Nudi Pixel. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
Pseudobiceros hancockanus (Collingwood, 1876) This is not nudibranch or sea slug.
- "Fighting to mate: Flatworm penis fencing". PBS. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
Using new camera technology, Marine Biologist Leslie Newman of Australia's Southern Cross University participated in filming the marine flatworm Pseudobiceros hancockanus engaging in some odd reproductive behavior -- referred to as penis fencing.
- "Hermaphrodites duel for manhood". Science News. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
Eberhard also points out the difficulty of untangling the interests of the sexual combatants. Is a dodging partner just filtering out lousy duelers?
External links
