Pseudoceros bicolor Verrill, 1901

Dixit, Sudhanshu, Bayyana, Sharad, Manjebrayakath, Hashim, Saravanane, N. & Sudhakar, M., 2019, Polyclad fauna of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India: new records and description of two new species, Zootaxa 4657 (2), pp. 246-260 : 251

Pseudoceros bicolor Verrill, 1901

( Fig. 2d )

Material examined: One specimen (11 x 9 mm) preserved in 10% formalin; collected on 05.05.2018 from eastern jetty, 15m depth (10°52′46′′N 72°12′21′′E), Agatti Island, Lakshadweep. (Regn. No. IO/DV/POY/00004)

Description: Background colour yellow to light brown, numerous minute white spots present all over body except margins; marginal band white with greyish transversal stripes; dorsal longitudinal band speckled with interrupted brown and white blotches; pseudotentacles developed and square like, shaded with white and brown.

Distribution: Lakshadweep, India (present study); Bermuda ( Verrill 1901); Colombia ( Quiroga et al. 2004); Jamaica; Belize; Hounduras; Panama ( Rawlinson 2008); Brazil ( Bahia et al. 2014)

Remarks: This species is very similar to Pseudoceros rawlinsonae in terms of colours and can only be differentiated on the basis of presence or absence of the marginal band or the colour of the marginal band. In P. bicolor the marginal may be absent, or is yellow to greenish when present while in P. rawlinsonae is golden yellow to orange. Our specimen shows no golden yellow to orange marginal band, which agrees with one of the morphological variations of P. bicolor . This is a new record to Indian waters.

Figures

FIGURE 2. a—Pseudobiceros apricus; b—Pseudobiceros hymanae; c—Pseudoceros bolool; d—Pseudoceros bicolor (exsitu).