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Mellita isometra
These animals are found in shallow seawater below tide lines, where they burrow into the seabed to obtain food. They feed on fine particles of plankton and other organic matter they filter from the water. Their name comes from the keyhole –shaped holes on the endoskeleton.
Topsail Island beach
Mellita quinquiesperforata is a tropical species. Since you found this specimen in NC, then it is more likely M. isometra.
Spotted on Sep 6, 2012
Submitted on Sep 9, 2012
