Belize with a key to the species Sipunculan diversity at Twin Cays

We collected the following six species of Sipuncula in three intertidal and shallow subtidal sites around Twin Cays from April 18-24, 2003: Golfingia elongata (Keferstein, 1862); Siphonosoma cumanense (Keferstein, 1867); Sipunculus nudus Linnaeus, 1766; Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) fischeri ten Broeke, 1925; Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) laevis de Quatrefages, 1865; and Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) parvulus Gerould, 1913. Of these, Golfingia elongata and Aspidosiphon parvulus were the most common ones, both collected from mangrove and Thalassia root mats. The distribution of Golfingia elongata seemed patchy. Sipunculus nudus and Siphonosoma cumanense were found in low density in consolidated sand flats. In total, 14 sipunculan species are reported from Carrie Bow Cay and surrounding cays. We include a key to all the species found in the area.

Sipunculan diversity at Twin Cays, Belize with a key to the species Academic Article