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Worms This Flat

Short answer: Marine polyclad flatworms (Polycladida) are thin, often brightly patterned flatworms found mostly on reefs and rocky shores. They glide on beds of cilia and muscular waves, and most are carnivores that eat small invertebrates such as sea squirts, snails and crustaceans.

Some species' bright colors are thought to warn predators that they're distasteful or toxic. The famous experiments where a flatworm is cut into pieces and each regrows into a whole animal mostly involve freshwater planarians, which carry stem cells called neoblasts. The footage shows several colorful marine flatworms rippling over coral and rock.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Worms This Flat?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Marine polyclad flatworms glide on cilia.

    DD-293-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Polyclads)

  2. Planarians can regrow whole bodies from fragments.

    DD-293-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit E (Planarian regeneration)

Video transcript: Worms This Flat: Bright Colors Can Be a Warning

DID YOU KNOW? Marine flatworms are fascinating and diverse creatures found in oceans around the world. These vibrant invertebrates come in various colors and patterns which serve as warnings to predators about their toxicity. Flatworms are carnivorous often feeding on small invertebrates and sometimes even each other. They glide gracefully over surfaces using tiny cilia on their undersides. One remarkable feature of marine flatworms is their ability to regenerate. If a flatworm is cut in half each piece can grow into a complete organism. This regenerative ability is a subject of interest in scientific research. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 27.5s Reel ·

Video coming soonWorms This Flat · Instagram Reel
Worms This Flat: Bright Colors Can Be a Warning Instagram Reel · · 27.5s

The write-up

Bright colors can be a warning. Planarians can regrow a whole body from a fragment.

  1. Exhibit A

    Polyclads

    Marine polyclad flatworms are thin, often colorful reef animals.

  2. Exhibit B

    Gliding on cilia

    They move on cilia and muscular waves.

  3. Exhibit C

    Carnivores

    Most eat small invertebrates.

  4. Exhibit D

    Warning colors

    Some species' bright colors are thought to warn off predators.

  5. Exhibit E

    Planarian regeneration

    Freshwater planarians can regrow whole bodies from fragments.

Questions people ask about Worms This Flat

What order do marine flatworms in the Reel belong to?

Polyclads are flatworms.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Polyclads) · Wikipedia: Polycladida

How do they move?

They glide over surfaces.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Gliding on cilia) · Wikipedia: Polycladida

What do most polyclads eat?

They're carnivores.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Carnivores) · Wikipedia: Polycladida

What can bright colors signal?

Some are distasteful or toxic.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Warning colors) · Wikipedia: Polycladida

Which flatworms are famous for regeneration?

They carry stem cells called neoblasts.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Planarian regeneration) · Wikipedia: Planarian

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What order do marine flatworms in the Reel belong to?

    1. Polycladida
    2. Annelida
    3. Cnidaria
    4. Porifera
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Polycladida Polyclads are flatworms. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Polyclads) · Wikipedia: Polycladida

  2. How do they move?

    1. On cilia and muscular waves
    2. With legs
    3. By jet propulsion
    4. By rolling
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. On cilia and muscular waves They glide over surfaces. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Gliding on cilia) · Wikipedia: Polycladida

  3. What do most polyclads eat?

    1. Small invertebrates
    2. Algae only
    3. Plankton only
    4. Nothing
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Small invertebrates They're carnivores. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Carnivores) · Wikipedia: Polycladida

  4. What can bright colors signal?

    1. A warning to predators
    2. Age
    3. Temperature
    4. Hunger
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A warning to predators Some are distasteful or toxic. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Warning colors) · Wikipedia: Polycladida

  5. Which flatworms are famous for regeneration?

    1. Freshwater planarians
    2. Tapeworms
    3. Earthworms
    4. Velvet worms
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Freshwater planarians They carry stem cells called neoblasts. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Planarian regeneration) · Wikipedia: Planarian

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Worms This Flat." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-293, last updated Aug 8, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/worms-this-flat/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/worms-this-flat/ · Last updated

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