A new genus and species of polyclad flatworm found in the mantle cavities of gastropod molluscs in the high-intertidal zone of the Pacific coast of Central America
Faubel, A.; Sluys, R.; Reid, D.G. (2007). A new genus and species of polyclad flatworm found in the mantle cavities of gastropod molluscs in the high-intertidal zone of the Pacific coast of Central America. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 87(2): 429-434. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315407055245
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Faubel, A., more
- Sluys, R.
- Reid, D.G.
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| Abstract |
A commensal relationship is described between the polyclad flatworm Paraprostatum echinolittorinae Faubel & Sluys gen. et sp. nov. and gastropod molluscs living on the Pacific coast of central America. Although the worms are relatively large in comparison with their hosts, the latter sustained no apparent damage. Considering the fact that the molluscs live in the upper eulittoral zone and littoral fringe of the shore, it is unlikely that the polyclads could survive for long outside the hosts. Diagnostic characters for the new genus and species are a long penial stylet joined to the proximal vesicle and absence of Lang's vesicle. It is pointed out that Aprostatum clippertoni Bock, 1913 and A. longipenis (Kato, 1943) have been incorrectly transferred to the genus Euplana Girard, 1893 and that Discoplana malagensis Doignon, Artois & Deheyn, 2003 should be transferred to the genus Ilyella Faubel, 1983. |
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