Turbellarian taxonomic database

Record # 20795
Author
Title
Journal
Lee KM, Beal AM, Johnston EL (2005)
A new predatory flatworm (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida) from Botany Bay, New South Wales, Australia.
Journal of Natural History 39(47): 3987-3995

Abstract / Notes

A new species of Stylochidae flatworm Imogine lateotentare is described from Botany Bay, eastern New South
Wales, Australia. This flatworm is distinguished from other species in the same genus mainly by having small,
transparent and inconspicuous tentacles, densely packed purplish pink flecks at the posterior of the dorsal
surface, distinctive purplish red colour gonopores and continuous bands of numerous frontal and cerebral
eyes. Feeding and reproductive behaviour in the laboratory are described. This flatworm was found closely
associated with the barnacle Balanus variegatus ( Darwin, 1854) on which it fed by extending its pharynx over
the barnacle opercular and sucking out the flesh but ejecting the cirri. It consumed one Balanus variegatus
in a 14-day observation period and it was observed feeding exclusively at night.

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