CONTENTS
Flora index
Fauna index
guide to the mangroves of singapore
Flatworms (Platyhelminthes)
Peter K L Ng and N Sivasothi (editors)
 
Mangrove flatworms
Size:
2-6 cm

Flatworms are very simple, bilaterally symmetrical animals with only one body opening (i.e., with a mouth but no anus). There are several species of mangrove flatworms, all belonging to a group known as polyclads (i.e., many guts). They are primarily predators on small animals.

Two species are common. There is a large grey species (Meixneria furva, 3-4 cm), which occurs in mud lobster mounds and under bark, and another reddish-brown species (Limnostylochus sp., Family Stylochidae, 2-3 cm) which often occurs in large numbers in wetter areas.
close-up of mangrove flatworm
Meixneria sp.

view of mangrove floor covered with flatworms
Limnostylochus
sp. on forest floor
What is mangrove?
Introduction

The Ecosystem

Abiotic
Biotic

Value
Intro
Products
Indirect uses
Potential uses

About Mangroves
in Singapore

History
Mangroves to visit
Conservation
 
From "A Guide to Mangroves of Singapore", Peter K. L. Ng and N. Sivasothi (editors)
Volume 1: The Ecosystem and Plant Diversity and Volume 2: Animal Diversity
Authors: Kelvin K. P. Lim, Dennis H. Murphy, T. Morgany, N. Sivasothi, Peter K. L. Ng,
B. C. Soong, Hugh T. W. Tan, K. S. Tan & T. K. Tan
BP Guide to Nature Series published by the Singapore Science Centre, sponsored by British Petroleum
© 2001 Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, The National University of Singapore & The Singapore Science Centre