Turbellarian taxonomic database
Convoluta pygopora Notes
Antonius A 1968 (citation)- complete description, illustration - diagnosis, etc. p 311-319.
p 371 lists penis as intermediate type between dermal and parenchymal.
Appearance- 750-850 micrometers long- color dark, almost black with concrements reflecting
while enrolled sides- deeply so at anterior end- shallow in middle. female gonopore is
ensunk area-
front end anterior obliquely short. red-brown pigment eyes.
Epidermis- nuclei under muscle layer. cilia- 4 micrometers dorsal and 8 micrometers ventral.
3-4 micrometers from surface to inside muscle layer. Symbionts. granular pigments- from
rhabdites- also overall in body green-black in color to bright green. Color is granular, black
to dark red in a net like pattern under the outer m - formed by rhabdoids-
under dorsal epidermis- symbionts can be seen only on squashing. Mucous glands- on
dorsal side of anterior end- corresponds to frontal organ.
Nervous system- a circular nerve ring. Nuclei on dorso - lateral and ventro - lateral inner
sides- dorsal nerves, lateral nerves, ventral nerves- frontal nerves to mucous glands.
Statocyst enervated by a fine nerve plexus from dorsal and ventral longitudinal nerves,
11-30 micrometers.
Musculature- outer circular and inner longitudinal all 1 micrometer except 2 micrometers near
female pore to posterior end. Sphincter around mouth.
Parenchyma- epidermal parenchyma- fibrous structure. nuclei 2-3 micrometers round, well stained
peripheral parenchyma. disgestive parenchyma and mouth 40-60 micrometers- homogenous -
not many spaces.
Gonads- paired but meet in center behind otocyst [Bush- that is testes and ovary combined on each
side- see illustration], but germaries united. Sperm travel on dors-lateral sides- eggs on
ventro-lateral sides. Ripe egg in center anterior to bursa- 100 micrometers.
Copulatory organs- male penis a non-ciliated muscular penis tube surrounded partly by a strong
muscular bulb. tube a typical inpocketing of outer wall muscular layer. (longitudinal layer is
outer and circular is inner). Proximal end open- no sphincter. Distal half surrounded
by a muscular web derived from parenchyma. Muscular webb is distal part of muscular bulb
where fibers form a thin compact layer which makes a bow shaped layer around the end of the
penis with a sphincter here which does not touch penis Proximal part of bulb forms a space out
of which penis opens. longitudinal muscles run thru this and together with parenchyma muscles
form seminal vesicle at proximal end- all together form a sand glass shape [hour-glass shape].
Sperm fill half of vesicle, Arythrophyl secretion with large granules and cells fill distal
part of vesicle and area around penis- a thin light sheath thru this and into penis.
Female vagina and bursa with a common wall, outer layer of thin muscles forms a bell shaped
area and inserts on body wall muscle.
Diagnosis- p 318 from Al Ghardqua, Red Sea
"Penis a simple muscle tube, surrounded by a muscular bulb, that formed a unit with the
vesicle shaped like hour glass. Male organs subterminal at posterior end- Female ventral.
Vagina, bursa and nozzle surrounded by a thin common muscle sheath- vagina vacuolated,
without a sphincter. Penis and vagina not ciliated and without stimulating organs. Gonads
two sexes joined and paired [a set on each side]- with a small median union between the
2 sides- behind the statocyst. Large ripe eggs. Brain ring-shaped lying before the statocyst.
with enrolled sides and large mouth opening. Granular dark pigment under the body wall-
compressed in rhabdites in the epidermis. Small epidermal mucous glands only in frontal area.
Epidermis eisunken. Color from almost black pigment, a few concrements on the dorsal sides.
Red-brown pigment eyes, symbiotic algae in the epidermal and peripheral parenchyma.
Antonius A 1970 (citation)- on frontal glands- (abstract)
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