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The basic organization of the Plathelminthes

  • Taxonomy and phylogeny
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Abstract

The basic organization of the Plathelminthes is summarized. Special attention is given to epidermal structures, musculature, extracellular matrices, nervous system and sensory structures, digestive system, totipotent stem cells, protonephridia, reproductive system and life cycle. The latest common ancestor of the Plathelminthes lacked any ‘parenchymal’ cells and tissues; Plathelminthes do not represent ‘Parenchymia’. Discussions concerning the relationships of the Plathelminthes with other Metazoa must be based on the characteristics of the plathelminth stem species.

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  1. II. Zoologisches Institut und Museum der Universität Göttingen, Berliner Strasse 28, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany

    Ulrich Ehlers

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  1. Ulrich Ehlers
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Ehlers, U. The basic organization of the Plathelminthes. Hydrobiologia 305, 21–26 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00036358

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