ANATOMY OF SOME INDO-PACIFIC ELYSIIDAE (OPISTHOBRANCHIA: SACOGLOSSA (=ASCOGLOSSA)), WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE GENERIC DIVISION AND PHYLOGENY
Open Access
- 1 July 1992
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Journal of Molluscan Studies
- Vol. 58 (3) , 257-296
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mollus/58.3.257
Abstract
The Elysiidae is the largest family of Sacoglossa (=Ascoglossa) (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia). The Indo-Pacific fauna contains about 65 species presently referred to the genus Elysia. Almost nothing is known about the internal anatomy of these animals. In the present study the internal anatomy, particularly the pharyngeal musculature, morphology of radularteeth, and reproductive systems, of 12 Indo-Pacific elysiids is investigated. Also, the internal anatomy of the Mediterranean type species of the genera Elysia and Thuridilla is described. On this basis, the validity of the genera Elysia, Thuridilla, Elysiella and Pattyclaya, is confirmed. Also, the genus Placobranchus is transferred to the Elysiidae. phylogenetically important characters are identified and phylogenetic relationships within the family are discussed.Keywords
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