Parasitic Polyclad Worms – Reefs.com

Polyclad worms are a type of flatworm that can wreck havoc on our prized corals. In this article we are going to take a look at a particular type of parasitic flatworm that some aquarists may be unfamiliar with. The name “Polyclad” refers to its internal network of gastro-vesicular cavities (poly-clad) connected to its single mouth. These poly-clad cavities allow the worm to distribute food throughout their body as it is being consumed. They go unnoticed on corals because they often take on the appearance or color characteristics of the host coral, making them difficult to notice for the unaware eye. The order of Polyclad worms is divided into two sub-orders: cotylea and acotylea. The MORE

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