''Haplopharynx'' is a genus of small, free living marine
flatworms
Platyhelminthes (from the Greek πλατύ, ''platy'', meaning "flat" and ἕλμινς (root: ἑλμινθ-), ''helminth-'', meaning "worm") is a phylum of relatively simple bilaterian, unsegmented, soft-bodied invertebrates commonly called ...
found in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is the only genus in the
monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unisp ...
family Haplopharyngidae.
Species
The following species are recognized in the genus ''Haplopharynx'':
* ''
Haplopharynx quadristimulus''
Ax, 1971
* ''
Haplopharynx rostratus''
Meixner, 1938
* ''
Haplopharynx papii''
Schockaert, 2014
Anatomy
Subterminal mouth leads to the simple pharynx, which subsequently continues as an intestine with terminal anal pore. A short retractable proboscis is present anteriorly to the pharynx. Variable number of glands producing
rhabdite
Rhabdites (from Greek, ''rhabdos'', rod) are rodlike structures in the cells of the epidermis or underlying parenchyma in certain turbellarians, and in the epidermis of nemertea
Nemertea is a phylum of animals also known as ribbon worms or ...
s open at the surface of proboscis. Nervous system built similarly as in
Macrostomida. ''Haplopharynx'' are hermaphroditic, with separate male and female gonopores. Male copulatory organ is equipped with hard, sclerotised stylet and set of needles.
Reproduction and development
Copulation lead to the internal fertilization. Egg is entolecithal and show spiral
cleavage pattern.
References
External links
Taxonomy Database
Turbellaria
Rhabditophora
Platyhelminthes genera
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