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Polyclads (Flatworms)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
Several
species of flatworms are commonly found on Pacific Northwest beaches.
They belong to the order Polycladida and are referred to as polyclads.
The order name is based on their profusely branched digestive tracts:
poly=many, clad = branches. For most of them, specific identification
is based on differences in their reproductive systems and other
features visible only with a microscope. Most polyclads are carnivores
and feed on crustaceans, worms, molluscs, ascidians, and other invertebrates.
Most flatworms
in this area are small, less than an inch long. One larger
species is Kaburakia excelsa, which may exceed 2 inches in
length. Watch for polyclads under rocks and in mussel clumps.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 11/20/05.
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