| one publication added to basket [210027] | A new species of symbiotic flatworms, Paracatenula galateia sp. nov. (Platyhelminthes: Catenulida: Retronectidae) from Belize (Central America)
Dirks, U.; Gruber-Vodicka, H.R.; Leisch, N.; Ott, J.A. (2011). A new species of symbiotic flatworms, Paracatenula galateia sp. nov. (Platyhelminthes: Catenulida: Retronectidae) from Belize (Central America). Mar. Biol. Res. 7(8): 769-777. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2011.574880
In: Marine Biology Research. Taylor & Francis: Oslo; Basingstoke. ISSN 1745-1000; e-ISSN 1745-1019, more
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| Keywords |
Meiofauna
Catenulida [WoRMS]; Paracatenula galateia; Platyhelminthes [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Interstitial meiofauna; intracellular symbiosis; subtidal sand |
| Authors | | Top |
- Dirks, U.
- Gruber-Vodicka, H.R.
- Leisch, N.
- Ott, J.A.
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| Abstract |
Paracatenula galateia sp. nov. is a mouthless marine catenulid platyhelminth with bacterial intracellular endosymbionts. The worms live in shallow back-reef sands in the Belize Barrier Reef system and are distinguished from the four previously described members of the genus by their large size combined with a ribbon-shaped body and characteristic bipartite inclusions in cells, which are interpreted as sperm. The bacteria are presumed to be sulphur-oxidizing chemoautotrophs. They are found in bacteriocytes which fill the body region (‘trophosome region’) posterior to the brain, whereas the anterior part of the worm (rostrum) is bacteria-free. Phalloidin staining reveals a delicate system of subepitheliar circular and longitudinal muscles and dorsoventral fibres. The serotonergic nervous system consists of a brain at the base of the rostrum and longitudinal fibres extending both anteriorly and posteriorly, the latter being concentrated in a structure called the ‘dorsal cord’. |
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