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Family: Ichneumonidae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: Bays, mangrove channels, and reef-associated sand plains, in soft sediment with little or no fixed vegetation. Most abundant in low-energy muddy environments, but also found in seasonally turbulent locations. Distribution: Caribbean Natural History Notes: The species occurs with other burrowing amphiorids at densities of 60 individuals per square meter. Individuals burrow 14 cm beneath the surface, leaving their arm tips exposed to collect particles from the surface of the sediment. The exposed arms are vulnerable to predation, and most individuals thus have regenerating arms. Individuals readily autotomize the disk in reaction to mild physical disturbance. Depth: 1-12 m Characteristics: This species is relatively large, reaching a disk diameter of 13 mm and arm length of 250 mm. The stomach is visible through the diaphanous body wall, causing the disk to appear dark green-brown or yellow-green. Individuals have four to five oral papillae, arranged as in Amphioplus species. |