Pseudoceros juani

Cuadrado, Daniel, Hernández-Gonzalez, Alejandro, Noreña, Carolina & Simões, Nuno, 2024, Polyclads (Platyhelminthes) in the southern Gulf of Mexico: unveiling biodiversity and descriptions of two new species, ZooKeys 1221, pp. 103-144 : 103-144

Pseudoceros juani Bahia, Padula, Lavrado & Quiroga, 2014

Fig. 11

Material examined.

Campeche coast, Mexico • 1; Cayo Arcas; 20.2 ° N, 92.0 ° W; 5 m; 26 Apr. 2018; A. Hernández leg.; CRPPY - 0086 .

Distribution.

Cabo Frío, Brazil ( Bahia et al. 2014). First record for the Gulf of Mexico (Campeche, Mexico).

Description.

Elongated and elliptical body, 1.5 cm in length and 0.5 cm in width (Fig. 11 A ). Margin slightly wavy. Dorsal surface brick-orange with white dots and small black spots (Fig. 11 A, B ). Translucent whitish marginal band with a yellowish line visible (Fig. 11 B ). Pseudotentacles brick-orange, short, and as simple folds. Cluster of cerebral eyes horseshoe-shaped. Pseudotentacular eyes present. Two clusters of marginal eyes situated between pseudotentacles. Pharynx ruffled and butterfly-shaped (Fig. 11 C ).

Remarks.

Specimens of Pseudoceros juani from Brazil show a darker colouration, characterised by more abundant and smaller dots distributed along the middle dorsal line. Additionally, the white marginal band with a yellow line is more conspicuous in the Brazilian exemplar. Disparities in the distribution of the dorsal dots and the lighter tones of the final brown band may be attributed to the maturity state of the individuals. Brazilian individuals are longer than those from the Gulf of Mexico.

Figures

Figure 11. Pseudoceros juani A dorsal view B In situ C ventral view.