Convoluta

Hooge, Matthew D. & Tyler, Seth, 2008, Acoela (Acoelomorpha) from Bocas del Toro, Panama, Zootaxa 1719, pp. 1-40 : 4-5

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 .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Photomicrographs of living specimens. A. Convoluta sp. B. cf. Heterochaerus sargassi.