Taxonomic and biological observations on the tiger flatworm, Maritigrella crozieri (Hyman, 1939), new combination (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida, Euryleptidae) from Florida waters

The tiger flatworm, Maritigrella crozieri (Hyman, 1939) (Platyhelminthes, P olycladida, Cotylea) new combination, is redescribed from eastern Florida a nd the Florida Keys. This marine flatworm is one of the most common polycla ds within warm temperate to tropical west Atlantic, yet it has been misiden tified consistently as a pseudocerotid. Animals were kept alive in the labo ratory for 3 weeks for biological observations. Findings indicated that the se euryleptids employ hypodermic insemination, with multiple copulations oc curring over several days. Sperm was transferred in sperm bundles bilateral ly with little apparent damage to the epidermis of the copulating worms. Co pulation sessions were variable and lasted an average of 15.4 min. In situ and laboratory observations indicated that M. crozieri fed exclusively on t he mangrove ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata Herdman, 1880, an individual c onsuming one prey zooid in an average of 17 min and an average of 19 zooids over 24 h.