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Flatworms of Zihuatanejo

FAMILY DIPOSTHIDAE

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Flatworms (Phylum Platyhelminthes)

-Subphylum Rhabditophora

-Polyclad Flatworms (Order Polycladida


Polyclad flatworms of the are marine, free-living flatworms known for their thin, flexible bodies and often striking coloration. The body is typically broad and oval to elongate, strongly flattened, and lacks any hard structures, allowing the animal to glide smoothly over substrates. Many species display vivid colour patterns. The dorsal surface is usually smooth, while the ventral side carries a ciliated epidermis that enables locomotion by gliding. Polyclads have a highly branched digestive system and a ventral, protrusible pharynx, which they use to feed on small invertebrates such as ascidians, mollusks, or crustaceans. Pericelis flatworms are commonly found in shallow tropical and subtropical marine habitats, especially on coral reefs, rocky substrates, and under stones, where they remain hidden during the day and become more active at night.

Description

  • Diposthidae is a family of marine polyclad flatworms in the order Polycladida. Members are generally small, soft-bodied, and dorsoventrally flattened, with rounded or elongate bodies and a pair of anterior tentacles. They possess a muscular pharynx and a highly branched digestive system typical of polyclad flatworms. Species are often cryptically coloured or patterned and can be difficult to distinguish without examination of their anatomy.

Range

  • Species of Diposthidae occur in marine environments in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions, particularly in shallow coastal waters. Members of the family occur in the eastern Pacific, including along the Pacific coast of Mexico, and can be encountered in the Zihua area.

Habitat

  • Usually found in shallow marine habitats on rocky and coral reefs, beneath rocks, among algae, and on other hard surfaces. Some species are associated with particular benthic organisms and may remain concealed in crevices or beneath loose substrate.

Diet

  • Diposthidae are predatory polyclad flatworms that feed on small marine invertebrates and other soft-bodied benthic organisms. Their muscular pharynx is extended over or around prey to assist in digestion and ingestion.

Polyclad Flatworms

Diposthidae (Family)

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