Functional morphology of the gonads of the articulate brachiopod Terebratulina retusa

The reproductive anatomy, and ultrastructural features of the gonads of the articulate brachiopod Terebratulina retusa are documented based on collections made between October 1985 and October 1986 from the Firth of Lorn, west coast of Scotland. This species is dioecious, and maturity is achieved in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biology 1991-01, Vol.111 (3), p.401-410
Main Authors: JAMES, M. A, ANSELL, A. D, CURRY, G. B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Brachiopoda
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
Marine
Terebratulina retusa
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Summary:The reproductive anatomy, and ultrastructural features of the gonads of the articulate brachiopod Terebratulina retusa are documented based on collections made between October 1985 and October 1986 from the Firth of Lorn, west coast of Scotland. This species is dioecious, and maturity is achieved in both sexes at shell lengths greater than similar to 5.5 mm. There is no obvious external sexual dimorphism except for slight differences in the coloration of the gonads; testes are white/cream, ovaries are yellow/orange. The gonads occur as four palmate lobes, a pair in each valve. Gonads are formed within a mantle sinus (vascula genitalia), which is an anterior extension of the coelom, that opens posteriorly into the visceral cavity and to the exterior via a pair of metanephridia.
ISSN:0025-3162
1432-1793
DOI:10.1007/BF01319412