Stella’s Flatworm, Pseudobiceros stellae
At first this little flatworm appears to be nothing but a black, flat blob. Initially, I mistook it for the Black Dendrodoris — a nudibranch of similar colour that also resides in pockets and little niches in rocks during the day. But upon closer examination it is actually quite “stellar” — its dark blue/black body is spreckled with white spots that appear star-like. Did it get its name from its appearance? No. This flatworm was actually named after a woman appropriately named Stella. Another flatworm the Stella’s could be mistaken for is the Pseudoceros C, but the latter tends to be lighter and more brown in colour with a distinct bluish black margin. For more information and photos of the Stella’s, see John Hoover’s Hawaiian Flatworm site. To about 2″ or 50 mm.