Turbellarian taxonomic database

Abstract / Notes

An organism, externally resembling Miiller's larva among the polyclads, collected in the plankton of Monterey
Bay, California, during the spring and summer months is described. Internally, the organization of the
various systems is unique. In some respects it bears a certain resemblance to a polyclad in early stages of
development; in other regards it approaches the rhabdoceles, more particularly the Acoela. Its more exact
relationships are obscured by the fact that, although the larger specimens are not more than 0.7 mm. in
length, the sex organs, both [male] and [female], are fully developed and functional. Furthermore, the plan
of these systems is unlike that of any turbellarian hitherto described. Whether this organism represents a
case of paedogenesis or is a fully developed adult is unknown at present, but in any event the various
systems are described and an attempt is made to give it a fairly definite systematic position.

Return to taxon listing