turbellinids

Turbellinids are a class of free-living flatworms belonging to the phylum Platyhelminthes. They are characterized by their flattened, unsegmented bodies, which are typically small and range in color from transparent to dark hues. Unlike parasitic flatworms, turbellinids are aquatic, inhabiting a wide variety of marine, freshwater, and even some terrestrial damp environments. Their bodies are covered in cilia, which they use for locomotion, allowing them to glide smoothly over surfaces.

These organisms are carnivorous or omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, algae, and organic detritus. They possess a muscular pharynx that can extend from their ventral side to ingest food. Digestion occurs in a branched gastrovascular cavity. Turbellinids reproduce both sexually and asexually, with many species capable of regenerating lost body parts. Their life cycles are generally simple, though some exhibit more complex reproductive strategies. They play a role in their ecosystems as both predators and prey.