Global InformationNotoplana acticola information
| Notoplana acticola | |
|---|---|
Conservation status
| |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
| Order: | Polycladida |
| Family: | Notoplanidae |
| Genus: | Notoplana |
| Species: | N. acticola
|
| Binomial name | |
| Notoplana acticola Linnaeus, 1758
| |
Notoplana acticola is a species of flatworms that belongs to Turbellarians.[citation needed] The flatworm is one of the most primitive flatworm that has a brain.[1] This species has the ability to consume prey without a brain present.[1] There is no specific evidence on what the flatworms eat regularly, but some research shows that they may eat limpets.[citation needed] Notoplana acticola are able to ingest food at a rapid rate.[1] Research shows a normal flatworm can ingest one brine shrimp in less than a minute and eat up to 5 shrimp.[1] The amount of shrimp consumed by a decerebrated flatworm is different due to the lack of control.[1]
Notoplana acticola are located on the Pacific Ocean in intertidal areas. They are usually found under rocks or mussel beds that are able to filter water in and out.[2] They are very small in size, ranging from about one to two inches in length.[citation needed] The flatworm appears to be a tan color with a darker shade running along the underside of the body.[citation needed] The species is wide at the anterior end, narrow at the posterior end, and has a slim body structure.[citation needed] The flatworm also has approximately 60 ocelli lining the body that help navigate their environment and respond to light.[3]
The neuronal system in Notoplana acticola is the most unique feature of the flatworm.[4]
Notoplana acticola have what is considered a true brain.[4] Their body structure is bilaterally symmetrical and it involves cephalization.[4] They have such unique brains because of the cellular and subcellular regions that regulate the behavior of the flatworm.[4] The species also has a nerve-net that regulates the locomotory waves the flatworm develops.[5] The locomotory waves in the flatworm are propelled by smooth muscle and hydrostatic skeleton.[5] Notoplana acticola are not able to regenerate brain tissue, but their rate of neuronal repair is rapid.[6]
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