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Additional notes on Tubiluchus corallicola (Priapulida), based on scanning electron microscope observations

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Abstract

Cuticular differentiations on the body surface and the pharyngeal armature of adult Tubiluchus corallicola van der Land were examined with the scanning electron microscope. The morphology of abdominal tumuli, flosculi and tubuli, and of pectinate teeth and fimbrillae on the pharynx is described, and an attempt is made to interpret their functional properties. Taking into account the structural details, relative size, and topographic arrangement in relevance to interaction with the interstitial environment, we assume that tumuli are protective, flosculi chemoreceptive, and tubuli adhesive, and that the pharyngeal armature is a scraping mechanism for feeding on epigrowth on sand grains.

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Author notes

  1. E. Kirsteuer

    Present address: American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA

    K. Rützler

Authors
  1. E. Kirsteuer
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  2. K. Rützler
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Additional information

Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami

Supported in part by NSF Grant GB-7952 to the first author.

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Kirsteuer, E., Rützler, K. Additional notes on Tubiluchus corallicola (Priapulida), based on scanning electron microscope observations. Mar. Biol. 20, 78–87 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387678

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387678

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