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Persian Carpet Flatworm
Pseudobiceros bedfordi
9.93656, 123.372
Field Notes
Description:
Pseudobiceros bedfordi is a large polyclad flatworm approximately 8-10 cm in length. It has a distinctive pattern consisting of a brown to black background, with multiple transverse, bilateral pink lines around thousands of tightly spaced, bright yellow spots, pink undulating spots with stripes on the sides of the body.
The edges of the body are usually ruffled. The underside of Pseudobiceros bedfordi is pale pink. The front of the body has a pair of erect pseudotentacles.
Like all flatworms in the genus Pseudobiceros, they are hermaphroditic and have two penises. During mating, they fence with one another, using their penises, attempting to stab and inject sperm in their opponent, while avoiding being fertilized by their opponent. They are able to inseminate their opponent by injecting their sperm into any region of the other's body they are able to penetrate. After successfully injecting the other, the spermatozoa stream through their partner's body on their way to ovaries, where they will fertilize the eggs. The stream is visible through the body tissue of the worm, appearing as pale streaks, like lightning jags.
Habitat:
Pseudobiceros bedfordi is found on coral rubble and ledges in back reefs, coastal bays, and in lagoons.
They can be found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, Thailand, Australia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Myanmar, and Palau.
Notes:
Pic#1 is shown when it is 'swimming'.
Pic#2 is usually when you see them, crawling on the sea bottom.
Both pictures shows separate individuals. I believe the markings/patterns will show separate individual in the same manner as our fingerprints or markings on zebra or other wild life.
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