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Family: Holozoidae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: Found only on the undersurface of dead corals. Distribution: Panama, Guadalupe and the Azores. Natural History Notes: The species was first described from Azores but it seems to be a Caribbean species. Depth: 1.0-2.0 m Characteristics: Bright orange, brick colored or purple colonies are very small, forming lobes or heads (8.0-12.0 mm diameter) along a common basal tunic. Each head has a central cloaca surrounded by around 8 zooids. The zooids are 2.0-4.0 mm long and have a broad trifurcated dorsal languet. The gonads lay inside the intestinal loop, the male follicles forming a rosette around the protruding ovary. The larva is 1.8 mm long, brooded alone inside the tunic. In Guadalupe colonies are rose colored, either faint or bright. |