Haploposthia vandula Hooge and Tyler, 2001

Hooge, Matthew D. & Tyler, Seth, 2008, Acoela (Acoelomorpha) from Bocas del Toro, Panama, Zootaxa 1719, pp. 1-40 : 12-13

Haploposthia vandula Hooge and Tyler, 2001

Material. Living specimens in squeeze preparations.

Localities. Pond Sock Reef (917’17.9” N, 82°19’39.9” W), from fine-grained sand at 2 m water depth collected from sediment surrounding a sunken boat; Islas Zapatillas (915’53.5” N, 82°03’27.6” W), from finegrained sand from 2 m water depth from south side of island; Crawl Cay (9°14’37.8” N, 82°08’25.0” W), from fine-grained sand from 1 m water depth; Isla Colon, Mangrove Inn (919.870’ N, 82°15.286’ W), from fine-grained sand at 3–4 m water depth.

Description. Mature specimens were ~800 µm long and ~300 µm wide. Body with distinctive yellowgold coloration. Anterior end rounded, posterior more blunt. Male gonopore terminal at posterior end.

Remarks. The broad body and bright yellow coloration of Haploposthia vandula make it easily distinguishable from other acoels. This species is also known to occur in Bermuda ( Hooge & Tyler 2001) and Carrie Bow Cay, Belize (Hooge & Tyler 2007).