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Family: Semnoderidae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: Sandy sediment in the coral reefs. Distribution: Semnoderes pacificus has been recorded from the coast of California and from Bocas del Toro, Panama. Natural History Notes: It was observed that certain differences regarding the spine lengths and dimensions, and also differences in the internal structures made the identity of this specimen slightly uncertain. The spine dimensions of the Panamanian specimen lie outside the range that was previously established for juvenile and adult specimens of Semnoderes pacificus. Also, the limited amounts of specimens make it hard to make a strong disgnostic. Therefore, the species was referred to as Semnoderes cf. pacificus. Characteristics: Species of the genus Semnoderes are easily recognized by their lateral clam-shell shaped plates in the first trunk segment. We can note the presence of lateroventral, lateral terminal, midlateral and middorsal spines. The middorsal spines are present near the posterior part of segments 3 to 13 and the spine lengths increase posteriorly from segment 3 to 12, but the spine on segment 13 is much longer. The spine formula in the recorded specimen fits the pattern in Semnoderes pacificus. Notes: One male specimen was collected. |