Pseudocerotid L
photos 1-2: Rebecca Bicker. Kealia, Maui. 10 ft. Photo 3: Katherine Shepherd, Maalaea Bay, Maui. 7 ft.
photo 4: John Horn Kapalaki, Kauai. 10 ft.

Rebecca Bicker photographed this flatworm on rocky bottom at Kealia, Maui, on 8/27/2022. It appears to be in the family Pseudocerotidae, based on its pseudotentacles (simple folds in the margin rather than true tentacles) and the presence of pseudotentacular eyes (most visible in photo 2)..

Cory Pittman writes: "I don't see anything like it on Leslie's CD. So, I'm pretty sure it's another new one--densely mottled with cloudy pigment, no marginal line, a touch of violet on the pseudotentacles, scattered burnt-orange spots, compact elevated cerebral eyes with tentacular eyes on the edges of the pseudotentacles... An interesting set of traits."

UPDATE Sept 3, 2022: Rebecca writes: "I found this flatworm again today at Kealia at ten feet. Not sure if it is the exact same flatworm or not.

UPDATE November 12, 2022: Katherine Shepherd found another one. It was about 7 ft. deep in Maalaea Bay, Maui. Photo 3:

UPDATE January, 2023: John Horn found one at Kalapaki, Kauai about 10-12 mm long. Photo 4.

BACK to mottled or speckled


Rebecca Bicker

Rebecca Bicker
John Horn