This species has two penises, which it uses to engage in penis fencing, attempting to inject sperm into its opponent in order to fertilize it, while simultaneously avoiding being fertilized by their opponent.[3]
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,[4] pink undulating spots with stripes on the sides of the body.[5]
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.[1]
Pseudobiceros bedfordi is found on coral rubble[4] and ledges in back reefs, coastal bays, and in lagoons.[5]
Behaviour
This worm is fast-moving, and is able to swim by undulating its body.[4]
Diet
Pseudobiceros bedfordi feeds on ascidians and on crustaceans that are small enough to swallow.[5]
Reproduction
Two specimens of Pseudobiceros bedfordi about to engage in penis fencing
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.[7][8]
References
^ abPersian carpet flatworms (Pseudobiceros bedfordi) on the Shores of Singapore
^WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pseudobiceros bedfordi (Laidlaw, 1903)
^Arnqvist, Göran; Rowe, Locke (2005), Sexual conflict, Princeton University Press, ISBN978-0-691-12218-2, p. 185
^ abcRichmond, Matthew D. (1997), A Field Guide to the Seashores of Eastern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean Islands, IDA/Department for Research Cooperation, SAREC, ISBN91-630-4594-X, p. 154
^ abcPseudobiceros bedfordi, Pseudobiceros bedfordi 2010-12-15 at the Wayback Machine
^Milius, Susan (14 February 1998). "Hermaphrodites Duel for Manhood". Science News. 153 (7): 101. doi:10.2307/4010187. JSTOR 4010187.
^Whitfield, John (15 June 2004). "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sexes". PLOS Biology. 2 (6): e183. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020183. PMC423151. PMID 15208728.
External links
Citizen science observations for Pseudobiceros bedfordi at iNaturalist
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pseudobiceros bedfordi.
January 29, 2023
pseudobiceros, bedfordi, common, names, persian, carpet, flatworm, bedford, flatworm, species, flatworm, family, pseudocerotidae, scientific, classificationkingdom, animaliaphylum, platyhelminthesorder, polycladidafamily, pseudocerotidaegenus, pseudobicerosspe. Pseudobiceros bedfordi common names Persian carpet flatworm 1 and Bedford s flatworm is a species of flatworm in the family Pseudocerotidae 2 Pseudobiceros bedfordiScientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum PlatyhelminthesOrder PolycladidaFamily PseudocerotidaeGenus PseudobicerosSpecies P bedfordiBinomial namePseudobiceros bedfordi Laidlaw 1903 SynonymsPseudoceros bedfordi Laidlaw 1903This species has two penises which it uses to engage in penis fencing attempting to inject sperm into its opponent in order to fertilize it while simultaneously avoiding being fertilized by their opponent 3 Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution 3 Habitat 4 Behaviour 5 Diet 6 Reproduction 7 References 8 External linksDescription EditPseudobiceros 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 4 pink undulating spots with stripes on the sides of the body 5 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 1 Distribution EditThis species is found in Indonesia Malaysia Kenya Micronesia Northern Mariana Islands Thailand Australia Philippines Solomon Islands Myanmar and Palau 6 Habitat EditPseudobiceros bedfordi is found on coral rubble 4 and ledges in back reefs coastal bays and in lagoons 5 Behaviour EditThis worm is fast moving and is able to swim by undulating its body 4 Diet EditPseudobiceros bedfordi feeds on ascidians and on crustaceans that are small enough to swallow 5 Reproduction Edit Two specimens of Pseudobiceros bedfordi about to engage in penis fencing 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 7 8 References Edit a b Persian carpet flatworms Pseudobiceros bedfordi on the Shores of Singapore WoRMS World Register of Marine Species Pseudobiceros bedfordi Laidlaw 1903 Arnqvist Goran Rowe Locke 2005 Sexual conflict Princeton University Press ISBN 978 0 691 12218 2 p 185 a b c Richmond Matthew D 1997 A Field Guide to the Seashores of Eastern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean Islands IDA Department for Research Cooperation SAREC ISBN 91 630 4594 X p 154 a b c Pseudobiceros bedfordi Pseudobiceros bedfordi Archived 2010 12 15 at the Wayback Machine Pseudobiceros bedfordi Laidlaw 1903 Pseudocerotidae Nudi Pixel Milius Susan 14 February 1998 Hermaphrodites Duel for Manhood Science News 153 7 101 doi 10 2307 4010187 JSTOR 4010187 Whitfield John 15 June 2004 Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sexes PLOS Biology 2 6 e183 doi 10 1371 journal pbio 0020183 PMC 423151 PMID 15208728 External links EditCitizen science observations for Pseudobiceros bedfordi at iNaturalist Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pseudobiceros bedfordi Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pseudobiceros bedfordi amp oldid 1113853614, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
