On the basis of different expeditions to the south and central Atlantic Ocean and to the Sargasso Sea, the geographical distribution of pelagic polyclads was determined. Prominent representatives of the Sargasso Sea area are Chatziplana grubei and Gnesioceros sargassicola. In the central and South Atlantic Ocean only P. pellucida occurred. P. pellucida and Ch. Grubei appeared to be confirmed to surface water temperatures of 20 degree C or warmer. The hypothesis is put forward that in the North and South Atlantic circulation system P. pellucida populations are only established in water bodies with temperatures above 20 degree C, and these might be continually enriched by consecutive outflows from the Cape Verde Islands population. In all, 12 valid polyclad species are known up to now which are living in the pelagial of the different oceans.
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