The hatching larva of the priapulid worm Halicryptus spinulosus
2009; BioMed Central; Volume: 6; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1186/1742-9994-6-8
ISSN1742-9994
AutoresRalf Janßen, Sofia Wennberg, Graham E. Budd,
Tópico(s)Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
ResumoDespite their increasing evolutionary importance, basic knowledge about the priapulid worms remains limited. In particular, priapulid development has only been partially documented. Following previous description of hatching and the earliest larval stages of Priapulus caudatus, we here describe the hatching larva of Halicryptus spinulosus. Comparison of the P. caudatus and the H. spinulosus hatching larvae allows us to attempt to reconstruct the ground pattern of priapulid development. These findings may further help unravelling the phylogenetic position of the Priapulida within the Scalidophora and hence contribute to the elucidation of the nature of the ecdysozoan ancestor.
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