Possible Chelidonura from Japan

October 25, 2000
From: Haruo Kinoshita

Hello,

The sea animal in the picture was swimming by moving his tails up and down like a hinge at the depth of 12m. I think this is one kind of Chelidonura from his appearance.

Photo: Haruo Kinoshita
Place: Izu Ocean Park, Izu peninsula, Japan
Date: 6/5/2000
Depth: 12m
Temperature: 18c
Length: approx. 10mm

Thank you.
Haruo Kinoshita

shirara@af.airnet.ne.jp

Dear Haruo,
It certainly has the look of a species of Chelidonura with its bifurcating tail but I think it is a
flatworm. Have a look at Atsushi Ono's photo of an acoel flatworm. On a living animal it is easy enough to see the differences as a species of Chelidonura will have a distinct head shield and posterior shield and there will be flaps of the foot (parapodia) folded up on each side of the body. Flatworms on the other hand don't have any noticeable body parts. As their name suggests they are basically flat, relatively thin, featureless animals.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Oct 25). Comment on Possible Chelidonura from Japan by Haruo Kinoshita. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3217

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