Symsagittifera schultzei - A green convolutid flatworm (Marine flatworm images)

This convolutid acoelan species was found in a sample of sediment collected from the low water on a low spring tide at Marra Pool, Mount Batten, Plymouth, Devon, 02.04.22.

Thanks to Seth Tyler and Matt Hooge for their help in identifying the species.

The specimen here was less than 1.0mm in length, and there were no other specimens in the sample. The species has not yet been determined although it appears related to the Roscoff or Mint Sauce Worm, Symsagittifera roscoffensis. Like Symsagittifera roscoffensis, the species of flatworm here has a symbiotic relationship with the green algae Tetraselmis convolutae, hence its green colour.

A number of species of green convolutid flatworms of the genus Symsagittifera have been described from the Mediterranean region. The species here could be one of those and may be Symsagittifera schultzei.

APHOTOMARINE

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.

APHOTOMARINE

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.