Caenoplana hillii (Hill's flatworm)

Identification: Dorsal ground colour bright sulphur-yellow, with two dark brown stripes dividing the back into three longitudinal zones of approximately equal width. At the head end, the brown strtipes thicken then coalesce, forming a prominent brown tip. The ventral surface is a paler ground colour, fading to a watery white along the central longitudinal zone. The eyes are numerous, and contour the anterior tipo in a single row, sparsely crowd anterolaterally before continuing in a staggered submarginal row to the hind end. The mouth is situated approximately mid ventrally, and the genital pore about half way between the mouth and the posterior end. Living specimens are around 70 mm long and 1-1.5 mm wide. In some specimens, the brown dorsal striupes may fade around mid body. Other specimens may exhibit only the outlines, as dots and dashes, of the margins of the two brown dorsal stripes, thus giving the flatworm the appearance of having four thin interrupted longitudinal stripes. Occassionally specimens may exhibit a strong greenish-yellow tinge that may be an aging phenomenon. The specific epithet homours J.P. Hill FLS, demonstrator in biology and lecturer in embryology, University of Sydney 1892-1906, for his help in collecting land planarians. Found around Bundanoon - Moss Vale, Southern Highlands areas.