Planctosphaera
Class of marine filter-feeders
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Planctosphaera pelagica is a hemichordate and the only known representative of the class Planctosphaeroidea.
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| Planctosphaera | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | Planctosphaeroidea |
| Genus: | Planctosphaera |
| Species: | P. pelagica |
| Binomial name | |
| Planctosphaera pelagica Spengel, 1932 | |
The species is known only by its free swimming larvae. The larvae are tornaria larvae similar to those of the closely related Enteropneusta, which possess a ciliated band to capture food particles. Planctosphaera pelagica is unique in possessing mucus-secreting glands around the ciliated band. Possible uses of the mucous glands include assisting in feeding or deterring predators and parasites. Planctosphaera pelagica larvae are also larger than enteropneust larvae; due to the size difference and presence of mucous glands, they are usually given their own class.[1]
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