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Family: Haploposthiidae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: The species can be encountered in subtidal, clean, coarse-grained, well sorted sand and these specific specimens were surrounded by Thalassia sp. Water depth of 3-4 meters. Distribution: Specimens were encountered on Isla Colon and Isla Bastimentos in the province of Bocas del Toro, Panama. Natural History Notes: This new species was named in honor of the Biology Department of Reed College, Portland, Oregon, United States, for their contribution to the Acoeal project in Bocas del Toro, by providing lab facilities. The genus Exocelis belonged at first to the family Otocelididae, by Ehlers and Dörjes (1979). However, recent studies have shown that the diagnostic characteristic for this family was a symplesiomorphy that was present in unrelated acoeal genera. Therefore the species belonging to this family are being redistributed in other natural taxonomic groups and this is why now the species Exocelis reedi belongs to the family Haploposthiidae. Characteristics: Specimens of this new species measure around 450 µm long and 120 µm wide. Both anterior and posterior ends are rounded and the ciliated epidermis does not show a conspicuous coloration under transmitted light. There is presence of rhabdoid glands and the frontal organs are well developed. There is also the presence of a mouth, localized on the ventral surface in the middle of the body. The ovary is unpaired and located ventrally, whereas the testes are paired and are located laterally to the ovary. The common gonopore that is located on the ventral side at the posterior end of the body opens anteriorly to the male copulatory organ and dorsally to the vagina. The male copulatory organ is composed of muscular seminal vesicle filled with sperm and granular contents but there is no noticeable penis present. |