Description

"Sagitta serratodentata Krohn, 1853
(Fig. 20)

Sagitta serratondentata atlantica Tokioka, 1959

Body needle-like, firm and opaque, with small head. Fins separated and rounded with a small rayless zone. Anterior fins beginning at the posterior end of the ventral ganglion. Slight trace of collarette. Alimentary diverticula absent. Small eyes with a T-shaped pigment spot. Hooks serrated. Ovaries reaching to the anterior end of the anterior fins, large ova. Seminal vesicles conspicuous with a trunk and a large knob with two papillae, situated between the posterior and tail fins, nearly touching both when fully mature. Maximum body length 13 mm, relative tail length 22-30%, hooks 5-9, anterior teeth 6-10, posterior teeth 12-20.

World distribution: S. serratondentata is an epipelagic oceanic species common in temperate and warm Atlantic waters although it has also been reported occasionally from other seas.

British records: In the north east Atlantic, usually beow latitude 50°N (see under Sagitta tasmanica, p. 54)."

(Pierrot-Bults & Chidgey, 1988: 50)