Linda’s flatworm

Pseudoceros lindae, common name Linda's flatworm, is a marine Flatworm species that belongs to the Pseudocerotidae family.

Pseudoceros lindae can reach a length of 50–80 millimetres (2.0–3.1 in). The upper surface of the thick and elongated body shows a wine color (burgundy) background with turquoise margins and a variable number oval to round yellow-golden spots. This pattern may vary from one individual to another especially in the density of points. The ventral side is light purple. Each pseudotentacle is formed by a broad simple fold of the anterior margins of the body. Also pharynx is formed by highly elaborated folds. This species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, so it can make cross fecundation. There is a single male reproductive organ, that penetrates in any part of the mate's body, and the females have a short vagina directed backwards.^[1][2]

These flatworms are benthic and diurnals. Because of their aposematic colors, they have no fear to crawl around to feed. "Pseudoceros lindae" feeds on various colonial ascidians.^[2]

This species is widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific, from Madagascar and the eastern coast of Africa to Indonesia, Philippines and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.^[1][2]

It can be found in the external slope or top coral reef.^[2]

• Leslie Newman & Lester Cannon, 1994 : Pseudoceros and Pseudobiceros (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida, Pseudocerotidae) from Eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, vol. 37, p. 205–266
• Leslie Newman & Lester Cannon, "Marine Flatworms",CSIRO publishing,2003,ISBN 0-643-06829-5
• Neville Coleman, "Marine life of Maldives",Atoll editions,2004,ISBN 187-6410-361
• Andrea & Antonnella Ferrrari,"Macrolife",Nautilus publishing,2003,ISBN 983-2731-00-3

• Life Desk, Pseudoceros lindae
• Discover Life, Pseudoceros lindae
• Turbellarian taxonomic database, Pseudoceros lindae
• Nudipixel
• Photos of Pseudoceros lindae on Sealife Collection