Nemertean / Ribbon worm
Tetrastemma flavidum
- dorsal view 2
Nemertean / Ribbon worm
Tetrastemma flavidum
- dorsal view 3
Nemertean / Ribbon worm
Tetrastemma flavidum
- with 0.1mm division rule 1
Nemertean / Ribbon worm
Tetrastemma flavidum
- with 0.1mm division rule 2
Nemertean / Ribbon worm
Tetrastemma flavidum
- head under microscope 1
Nemertean / Ribbon worm
Tetrastemma flavidum
- stylet in proboscis 1
Nemertean / Ribbon worm
Tetrastemma flavidum
- stylet in proboscis 2
Nemertean / Ribbon worm
Tetrastemma flavidum
- stylet in proboscis 3
Specimen above found in a sample of fouling taken from a pontoon at Newlyn Marina, Newlyn, Cornwall, 08.02.17.
It has to be noted here that the species was not found inside the mantle cavity of the tunicate / sea squirt, Ascidiella aspersa, but the species was present in some numbers and some were split during the process of collection. It is not know wether the species associated with Ascidella aspersa is this species or another species.
The specimen here is in need of verification, which may not be possible without DNA analysis. Tetrastemma flavidum is variable, very similar to other species, there are few external features that can be used for the purpose of identification and there is some confusion over what represents this species. The species / specimens placed within it may also represent a complex.