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””’Planctosphaera pelagica””’ is a [[hemichordate]] and the only known representative of the class ”’Planctosphaeroidea”’. |
””’Planctosphaera pelagica””’ is a [[hemichordate]] and the only known representative of the class ”’Planctosphaeroidea”’. |
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The species is known only by its free swimming larvae. The larvae are [[tornaria]] larvae similar to those of the closely related [[Enteropneusta]], which possess a ciliated band to capture food particles. ”Planctosphaera pelagica” is unique in possessing mucus-secreting glands around the ciliated band. Possible uses of the mucous glands include assisting in feeding or deterring predators and parasites. ”Planctosphaera pelagica” larvae are also larger than enteropneust larvae; due to the size difference and presence of mucous glands, they are usually given their own class.<ref>{{cite journal| |
The species is known only by its free swimming larvae. The larvae are [[tornaria]] larvae similar to those of the closely related [[Enteropneusta]], which possess a ciliated band to capture food particles. ”Planctosphaera pelagica” is unique in possessing mucus-secreting glands around the ciliated band. Possible uses of the mucous glands include assisting in feeding or deterring predators and parasites. ”Planctosphaera pelagica” larvae are also larger than enteropneust larvae; due to the size difference and presence of mucous glands, they are usually given their own class.<ref>{{cite journal|=Hart|=M.W.|=R.L.Miller|=L.P.Madin|title=Form and feeding mechanism of a living ”Planctosphaera pelagica” (phylum Hemichordata)|journal=[[Marine Biology (journal)|Marine Biology]]|date=November 1994|volume=120|issue=4|pages=521–533|doi=10.1007/BF00350072|bibcode=1994MarBi.120..521H |s2cid=83621038 }}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Latest revision as of 18:25, 15 October 2025
Class of marine filter-feeders
Planctosphaera pelagica is a hemichordate and the only known representative of the class Planctosphaeroidea.
The species is known only by its free swimming larvae. The larvae are tornaria larvae similar to those of the closely related Enteropneusta, which possess a ciliated band to capture food particles. Planctosphaera pelagica is unique in possessing mucus-secreting glands around the ciliated band. Possible uses of the mucous glands include assisting in feeding or deterring predators and parasites. Planctosphaera pelagica larvae are also larger than enteropneust larvae; due to the size difference and presence of mucous glands, they are usually given their own class.[1]
