Hawaii Flatworms (Platyhelminthes)

These flatworms were all photographed in the Hawaiian Islands. We are not flatworm experts and positive identification of species and genera often require detailed examination of the anatomy, but Newman & Cannon (2003), Newman & Cannon (CD) and Ryanskiy (2021) were very helpful in guiding identification of these variable and often colorful animals. Species numbers for unidentified specimens are, when available, those used in the Newman & Cannon CD. More complete coverage of Hawaiian flatworms is presented by John Hoover on the Polyclad Flatworm section of hawaiisfishes.com.

Measurements were rarely taken in the field and animals were not collected, so any sizes given are usually very rough eyeball estimates often based on distant memories, and are provided only as a general guideline of what to look for.

We welcome corrections or comments at uwkwaj@yahoo.com.

Click a thumbnail below to see more images of that species or press the browser Back button to return to the previous page.

Suborder Acotylea


Acotylean 21

Family Cestoplanidae

Family Euryleptidae

Family Planoceridae

Family Prosthiostomidae

Family Pseudocerotidae

Unknown Family

Press the browser Back button to return to the previous page.

Kwajalein Underwater home

All photos are protected by copyright. Please contact uwkwaj@yahoo.com for more information on purchase, use, or redistribution of any photos.