Pseudobiceros 5  
"Hawaiian Spotted Flatworm"
top 2 photos: Kahe Point ("Tracks"), O`ahu. 25-30 ft. under rock
bottom photo: Dennis McCrea, Kona, Hawai`i

This distinctive worm is dark brown and covered with evenly spaced white spots of various sizes that become smaller and yellowish at the margins. The edge is light brown.

ID from Newman & Cannon CD. Moderately common, but as yet scientifically undescribed and unnamed. Usually under rocks or coral slabs rather than in the open (except perhaps at night). Known only from Hawai`i.

I sent several specimens to Leslie Newman, but she was unable to describe the species because the specimens were not reproductively mature. (She had asked me to keep two live ones together for a few days so that their reproductive organs would enlarge and they would attempt to mate. I kept a pair together for about a week, but they showed no interest in each other.)

Privately, I refer to this worm as Pseudobiceros kikokiko (which means "spotted" in Hawaiian). I hope whoever formally describes it will consider this for a scientific name.

BACK to spots or blotches
.

Dennis McCrea