Turbellarian taxonomic database

Convolutidae Conaperta Notes


Antonius A 1968 (citation)- defines new genus and moves some species of Convoluta here-
	p 309- def "Bursa with a cuticular nozzle, genital openings combined, always lying 
	ventrally.  Common genital atrium, when present, mostly ciliated, copulatory organ
	consists of a muscular, tube-shaped penis, always unciliated, surrounded by a muscular
	seminal vesicle.  Both usually very glandular.  Vagina often ciliated, seldom with stimulatory
	organs.  Brain insunken.  Anterior glands withy the exception of 1 species always paired 
	into a frontal organ.  Scarcely enrolled lateral edges.  Trimmed with symbiotic alge,
	rhabdites, pigment and pigment eyes and concretions very distinctive."
		Lists species:
		
		flavibacillum		urua
		lineata				actuosa
		norwegica			variomorpha
		vexillaria			krana
		westbladi			thela
		divae

	Discussion: 
		a. Two possible ways of development.
			1.  by combination of ciliated common atrium and ciliated vagina and 
				ciliated atrium to penis.  Then loss of cilia in some parts or a fully
				parenchymatic origin for part.
				
			2.  by an original single inpocketing (common genital atrium) divides proximally
				into male and female parts. 	
				
		b.  possibly a development of female elements not from epidermal but added to 
				dermal male parts by parenchyma?
	
		Inner ciliated genital organ the primitive type.  Common genital pore a derived
		character: genus Conaperta separated from Convoluta (etc on history of Convoluta)			
					

Ehlers U, Doerjes J 1979 (citation)- list p 3, 68.
	In the genus species differentiated on basis of:
	
	color of animal
	adenodactyls
	rhabdites
	eyes
	symbionts
	vagina- clearly differentialed or 
	nozzle- length
	bursa- muscular or thin walled or enticularized
	vagina- ciliated
	penis- layers, cuticular needles
	position of ovary- ? testes ? [Bush note: doubtful as character- depends on stage of 
		development.
	
	In all:
		- outer circular and inner longitudinal			
		- large frontal glands
		- nuclei not sunken
		- body not enrolled
		- common genital pore
		- food- diatomes and forams
		- penis- outer longitudinal muscle and inner circular muscle.

Notes from synonyms

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