Acoela (Acoelomorpha) from Bocas del Toro, Panama
Author
Hooge, Matthew D.
Author
Tyler, Seth
text
Zootaxa
2008
1719
1
40
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.181066
7e340a0c-b13c-43f7-b8df-e0c7a589094c
1175-5326
181066
Convoluta
sp.
(
Fig. 2
A)
Material
. Living specimens in squeeze preparation.
Locality
. Islas Zapatillas (
9°15’56.4” N
,
82°02’75.0” W
), from subtidal sediment located between the Islas Zapatillas.
Description
. Specimens ~
400 m
in length and ~
160 m
wide (
Fig. 2
A). With many green-colored zoochlorellae endosymbionts. Numerous red rhabdoid gland cells in epidermis. Statocyst present. Pair of red eyespots present at level of statocyst.
Male copulatory organ well-developed; composed of seminal vesicle that surrounds sperm mass and penis. Seminal bursa and single bursal nozzle present.
Remarks
. We collected only a couple specimens of this species and were unable to fix and embed any specimens for histological sections. As such, we could not make a positive identification. The presence of endosymbionts and eyespots and the lack of sagittocysts confirm that this species belongs in the
Convolutidae
. By squeeze preparation, the copulatory organs appeared to fit with the genus
Convoluta
; however, since the number of gonopores could not be discerned, there is a possibility that the species belongs in the genus
Conaperta
.