Heteronereis
Heteronereis
CLASSIFICATION
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Genus: Heteronereis
COMMENTS:
• Heteronereis is the sexual form of Nereis.
•Some species of Nereis exhibit dimorphism and two distinct phases, Nereis phase & Heteronereis phase, occur in their life.
•In such forms, the sexual maturity accompanied by certain changes in structure.
•Heteronereis phase is the sexual phase exhibits the following characteristic features:
•Eyes become large & much more prominent, and highly sensitive to light.
•The body shows two distinct regions, an anterior atoke or non- sexual region and a posterior modified epitoke or sexual region which contains ova & sperms.
•Parapodia in the posterior sexual region of the body become enlarged, vascular & foliaceous and setae become oar - shaped which help in active swimming.
•Dorsal & ventral cirri of the parapodia appears to be highly enlarged.
•The notopodium & neuropodium become large & leaf-like & act as fins & gills.
•Peristomial cirri become large.
•Special sensory papillae develop on anal segment.
•Due to excessive development of gonads, the muscles & alimentary canal are reduced.
Comments
Post a Comment