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Family: Perophoridae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: On coral reefs in Bocas del Toro. Distribution: Panama, the Caribbean, Bermudas, Cape Verde Islands, Senegal and the Mediterranean Sea. Natural History Notes: In other localities, individuals may be larger, and bright orange. The differences in color and size of the zooids difficult the identification. The body contains organic extracts possibly to deter predation. Culture of Ecteinascidia turbinata is a possible method for supplying ectemascidins, compounds that have strong antitumor properties. Depth: >5.0 m Characteristics: The zooids in the colony are clavate and united at their bases. The pharynx has 19 rows of stigmata on each side of the body and the testis consists of rod-like follicles surrounding the ovary. The larvae have a branchial sac which is already formed with 12 rows of stigmata and a series of internal longitudinal vessels. |