THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF PELAGIC NEMERTEANS
Open Access
- 1 August 1927
- journal article
- research article
- Published by University of Chicago Press in The Biological Bulletin
- Vol. 53 (2) , 123-138
- https://doi.org/10.2307/1537033
Abstract
Correlated with their usually gelatinous consistency, weak musculature, and other adaptations for life far beneath the surface of the ocean, the nervous system of the bathepelagic nemerteans (Pelagica) differs considerably from that found in the littoral and bottom-living relatives (Reptantia). Comparisons are made between the Pelagica, collected by the U. S. F. C. S. Albatross in various parts of the Pacific Ocean, and the Reptantia with respect to each part of the nervous system, including the sense organs. In a recently described species the dorsal nerve is provided with metameric ganglia not previously known for any nemertean and almost unique in invertebrates. A pair of dorsolateral nerves connects both with the dorsal nerve and with dorsal peripheral branches of the lateral nerve cords, while a delicate intermuscular plexus lies between the 2 body musculatures.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: