Turbellaria: Difference between revisions

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Turbellaria

Turbellaria is a class of mostly free-living flatworms belonging to the phylum Platyhelminthes. These organisms are primarily aquatic, inhabiting both marine and freshwater environments, although some species are terrestrial. Turbellarians are known for their ciliated epidermis, which aids in locomotion.

Characteristics

Turbellarians are characterized by their soft, flattened bodies and a lack of specialized respiratory and circulatory systems. They rely on diffusion for gas exchange and nutrient distribution. The body is covered with cilia, which are used for movement and feeding. Turbellarians exhibit a range of body sizes, from a few millimeters to several centimeters in length.

The digestive system of turbellarians is simple, often consisting of a mouth, pharynx, and a branched gut. Some species have a protrusible pharynx that can be extended to capture prey. Turbellarians are mostly carnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates and organic debris.

Reproduction

Turbellarians can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction involves the exchange of sperm between individuals, as most turbellarians are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. Asexual reproduction occurs through fission, where the organism splits into two or more parts, each of which regenerates into a complete individual.

Ecology

Turbellarians play a significant role in aquatic ecosystems as predators of small invertebrates and as prey for larger animals. They are important in the food web, contributing to the control of invertebrate populations and the recycling of nutrients.

Classification

Turbellaria is traditionally divided into several orders, including Tricladida, Polycladida, and Rhabdocoela. However, recent molecular studies have suggested that Turbellaria is not a monophyletic group, leading to revisions in their classification.

Related pages

References

Ruppert, E. E., Fox, R. S., & Barnes, R. D. (2004). Invertebrate Zoology. Brooks/Cole.
Tyler, S., Schilling, S., Hooge, M., & Bush, L. F. (2006). "Turbellarian taxonomic database". Version 1.4. Available at: [1]

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-'''Turbellaria''' is a historical term for a group of non-parasitic flatworms, which are now classified into several different groups. The term is no longer used in scientific taxonomy.
+== Turbellaria ==
-== Overview ==
+[[File:Bedford's_Flatworm.jpg|thumb|Bedford's Flatworm]]
-The '''[[Turbellaria]]''' are one of the traditional sub-divisions of the phylum of flatworms, the [[Platyhelminthes]]. They include a highly diverse group of mainly free-living but some parasitic species, distributed globally in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. The group, as traditionally defined, is a paraphyletic assemblage of lineages, because it excludes the wholly parasitic [[Neodermata]].
+[[File:Pseudoceros_dimidiatus.jpg|thumb|Pseudoceros dimidiatus]]
+[[File:Mating_Pseudobiceros_bedfordi.png|thumb|Mating Pseudobiceros bedfordi]]
-== Classification ==
+'''Turbellaria''' is a class of mostly free-living flatworms belonging to the phylum [[Platyhelminthes]]. These organisms are primarily aquatic, inhabiting both marine and freshwater environments, although some species are terrestrial. Turbellarians are known for their ciliated epidermis, which aids in locomotion.
-The '''Turbellaria''' are probably best considered a series of lineages, with the [[Dalytyphloplanida]], the [[Maricola]] and the [[Catenulida]] as the most basal of these. The rest of the "Turbellaria" are part of the [[Rhabditophora]]. The majority of species belong to the orders [[Macrostomida]], [[Polycladida]], [[Lecithoepitheliata]], [[Proseriata]], [[Tricladida]], [[Rhabdocoela]] and [[Fecampiida]].
+== Characteristics ==
+Turbellarians are characterized by their soft, flattened bodies and a lack of specialized respiratory and circulatory systems. They rely on diffusion for gas exchange and nutrient distribution. The body is covered with cilia, which are used for movement and feeding. Turbellarians exhibit a range of body sizes, from a few millimeters to several centimeters in length.
-== Morphology ==
+The digestive system of turbellarians is simple, often consisting of a mouth, pharynx, and a branched gut. Some species have a protrusible pharynx that can be extended to capture prey. Turbellarians are mostly carnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates and organic debris.
-The '''Turbellaria''' encompass a range of sizes from microscopic to over a metre in length. Most are free-living forms that feed on small invertebrates, but some are parasitic on other animals. They are dorso-ventrally flattened and are covered with cilia, which helps them move.
 == Reproduction ==
-Most '''Turbellaria''' are capable of regenerating lost body parts. In many species, individuals can be cut into pieces, with each piece growing into a complete organism. They are also capable of asexual reproduction through a process called fission.
-== See also ==
+Turbellarians can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction involves the exchange of sperm between individuals, as most turbellarians are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. Asexual reproduction occurs through fission, where the organism splits into two or more parts, each of which regenerates into a complete individual.
+== Ecology ==
+Turbellarians play a significant role in aquatic ecosystems as predators of small invertebrates and as prey for larger animals. They are important in the food web, contributing to the control of invertebrate populations and the recycling of nutrients.
+== Classification ==
+Turbellaria is traditionally divided into several orders, including [[Tricladida]], [[Polycladida]], and [[Rhabdocoela]]. However, recent molecular studies have suggested that Turbellaria is not a monophyletic group, leading to revisions in their classification.
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Platyhelminthes]]
 * [[Flatworm]]
-* [[Platyhelminthes]]
+* [[Cilia]]
-* [[Neodermata]]
 == References ==
-<references />
+* Ruppert, E. E., Fox, R. S., & Barnes, R. D. (2004). ''Invertebrate Zoology''. Brooks/Cole.
+* Tyler, S., Schilling, S., Hooge, M., & Bush, L. F. (2006). "Turbellarian taxonomic database". Version 1.4. Available at: [http://turbellaria.umaine.edu/]
+{{Taxonbar|from=Q10884}}
 [[Category:Platyhelminthes]]
-[[Category:Obsolete taxonomic groups]]
+[[Category:Turbellaria]]
-{{stub}}