Nemertea
Nemertea
Nemertea (pronunciation: /nɛˈmɜːrtiə/), also known as ribbon worms or proboscis worms, is a phylum of invertebrate animals.
Etymology
The term "Nemertea" is derived from Nemertes, one of the Nereids of Greek mythology, who was known for her truthfulness and straightforwardness.
Description
Nemerteans are soft-bodied, usually brightly colored, and range in size from a few millimeters to several meters. They are predominantly marine, but there are also freshwater and terrestrial species. They are known for their eversible proboscis, which they use to capture prey.
Anatomy
Nemerteans have a unique feature among invertebrates - a complete digestive system with mouth and anus. They also have a closed circulatory system, which is also unique among invertebrates. The nervous system is similar to other flatworms, with a nerve ring around the pharynx.
Ecology
Nemerteans are carnivorous, feeding on annelids, clams, and crustaceans. They are also known to be cannibalistic. Some species are scavengers. They are preyed upon by fish, sea stars, and crustaceans.
Classification
Nemertea is divided into two classes: Anopla and Enopla. Anopla includes those species with an unarmed proboscis, while Enopla includes those with a proboscis armed with a stylet.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nemertea
- Wikipedia's article - Nemertea
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski