Lithacrosiphon maldivensis Shipley, 1902
The unique anal shield is, granular, golden and bullet-shaped, differentiating this species from it congeners. Litacrosiphon maldivensis has been recorded exclusively from islands in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, inhabiting coral rubble in shallow water.
(From Cutler, E.B. & Jurczak 1975, Cutler 1994, Shipley 1902, and Stephen & Edmonds 1972)
External anatomy
Introvert is about half the trunk length, but according Cutler (1994) no fully extended introvert has been measured.
The tentacular crown, with 8-10 tentacles, encircles the nuchal organ.
Distal bidentate hooks are arranged in rings and measure 40-55 µm tall with basal ridges. Unidentate hooks are present proximally.
The anal shield is granular, often golden, and bullet-shaped.
The trunk ranges from 25-49 mm in length. The trunk wall is opaque.
The caudal shield is absent.
Internal anatomy
The longitudinal muscle layer of the trunk wall is divided into 32-37 anastomosing bands.
The spindle muscle is attached at both ends.
Nephridia length ranges from 75- 100 % of the trunk length.
A pair of retractor muscles is inserted near the posterior end of the trunk.
(From Culter, 1994)
This species has been collected only in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. There are records for Red Sea, Maldives, Cocos-Keeling and Comoran Island, Saipan, and Gilbert Island. The specimens were collected generally far from continental landmasses.
This species occurs at low densities, inhabiting coral rubble in shallow waters (Cutler, 1994).