Unusual Anatomy of the Ectoparasitic Muricid emVitularia salebrosa/em (King and Broderip, 1832) (Neogastropoda: Muricidae) from the Pacific Coast of Panama

Luiz R. L. Simone, Gregory S. Herbert, Didier Merle

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Abstract

The morphology and anatomy of Vitularia salebrosa, a muricid ectoparasitic on other mollusks, are investigated based on study of specimens from western Panama. Distinctive characters of this species include the small size of the buccal mass and radular apparatus, simplification of the odontophore muscles and diminished lateral teeth of the radula; an elongated, narrow proboscis; narrow digestive tract and a differentiable glandular region at the beginning of the posterior esophagus. These traits are consistent with adaptive specialization for an ectoparasitic life history

Original languageAmerican English
JournalThe Nautilus
Volume123
StatePublished - Jan 1 2009

Disciplines

  • Earth Sciences

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