Hooge MD 2003 (citation) - Mature specimens approximately 440 µm long and 100 µm wide (Figs. 10, 11A, 12). Anterior end blunt. Posterior end pointed. Light yellow coloration of body visible by transmitted light Epidermis completely ciliated. Few scattered rhabdoids present, mostly at posterior end. Musculature with circular muscles that encircle the body along entire length of animal; straight longitudinal muscles present between frontal organ and anterior edge of mouth; longitudinal-cross-over muscles (fibers with a longitudinal orientation anteriorly, but bend medially to cross diagonally) present in both dorsal and ventral body wall (Fig. 12) Frontal organ well developed; cell bodies of frontal glands positioned ~100 µm behind frontal pore (Fig. 10B). Mouth opening on ventral surface, middle of body. Digestive central syncytium extends from frontal glands posteriorly to level of seminal bursa. Ovary unpaired, ventral, extends from level of mouth posteriorly to seminal bursa (Figs. 10B). Testes paired, dorsal, separate from eggs. Testes extend anteriorly to frontal glands and posteriorly to level of seminal bursa (Fig. 10B). Globular sperm masses present between posterior end of testes and seminal vesicle (Figs. 10, 11B). Common gonopore on ventral surface opens anteriorly to multi-celled, walled seminal bursa containing sperm (Figs. 10C, 11C). Bursa has several conspicuous nuclei present along dorsal wall. Gonopore opens posteriorly to male antrum and non-muscular, thick-walled seminal vesicle containing a large mass of sperm (Figs. 10C, 11C). Invaginated penis absent.[From Hooge MD (2003)]
Return to Haplogonaria stradbrokensis