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Family: Sagittiferidae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: Coarse-grained sand. Water depth of 2 meters. Distribution: The species can be found in Bermuda and Carrie Bow Cay, Belize. In the region of Bocas del Toro, Panama, the species was reported on Islas Zapatillas. Natural History Notes: Antrosagittifera coralline is the only species of the family Sagittiferidae known to occur in the Caribbean. Characteristics: The species measures in average 400 µm long and 110 µm wide. Both the anterior and posterior ends are rounded. The body possesses a greenish-brown color that is attributed to the presence of numerous zooxanthellae. Sagittocysts, which form in and arise from the epidermis and are used for defense and capturing prey and are produced in specialized gland cells called sagittocytes, are most easily visible at posterior the end of the body, behind seminal vesicle, where zooxanthellae are mostly absent. |
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