Turbellarian taxonomic database

Lithophora Calviriidae Diagnosis


Archimonocelididae with a septum at the base of the pharynx. This septum is dorsally provided with a diaphram through which the intestine penetrates. Ovaria just in front of the pharynx and vitellaria anterior to the ovaria. Copulatory organ without a stylet. With an accessory glandular organ, which is partly or completely separated from the male atrium. Short common female duct present and vagina absent.

[From Martens PM, Curini-Galletti MC (1993): 88]


Lithophoran Proseriata with an encapsulated brain, a precerebral gut diverticle, intraepidermal nuclei, and with a completely ciliated epidermis. Ovaries are located roughly in the middle of the vitellaria, anterior of, and close to the pharynx. A very short female duct, with the oviducts joining behind the male copulatory organ, and with the female pore behind it (digonoporid condition). With a resorbing bursa close to the female pore (but with no genito-intestinal connection). Testes in front of the ovaries. Copulatory organ directed forwards, with only atrial needles or unarmed. A single seminal vesicle behind the copulatory organ. Accessory glandular organ present, separated from the copulatory organ, or combined with it. Horizontal pharynx not elongated, nor with a long prominent glandular proximal section; a septum before and a sphincter above the pharynx divides the gut into an anterior and a posterior part.

[From Schockaert ER, Curini-Galletti M, De Ridder W, Volonterio O, Artois T (2009): 771]


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