Kaburakia excelsa

The Leaf Worm

Phylum Platyhelminthes
Class Turbellaria
Order Polycladida
Suborder Acotylea
Family Stylochidae
Genus Kaburakia
Species excelsa

Description: 8 to 10 cm; light gray or tan with dark eyespots; flat, oval, and tapered, almost leaf shaped; two short tentacles located near the anterior end.

Habitat: Found on floats, pilings and the underside of rocks between high and low-tide lines.

Natural History: Polyclads are carnivorous and feed on many invertebrates including ascidians, worms, crustaceans, and molluscs. It feeds by extending its large, ruffled pharynx, which is turned inside out, covering the prey like an umbrella. Through muscular and ciliary action, partially digested food particles are brought into the many branched digestive tract, where digestion takes place.