Overview
The Lecithoepitheliata are an order of turbellarian flatworms.
They are free-living worms, found in both freshwater and marine environments. They are distinguished from other flatworms by the presence of four nerve cords and the fact that the ovary forms a single structure that both produces the ovum and nourishing yolk cells. In most other flatworms, yolk cells, where present at all, are typically formed in a gland derived from the ovary, but separate from it. Other diagnostic features of this order include the presence of a sharp stylet on the end of the penis, and a simple, unbranched, intestine.
Barnes, Robert D. (1982). Invertebrate Zoology. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International. p. 229. ISBN 0-03-056747-5.
Taxonomy
The Order Lecithoepitheliata is further organized into finer groupings including:
- Family (2): Gnosonesimidae · Prorhynchidae
- Species: ZipcodeZoo has pages for 20 species and subspecies in the Order Lecithoepitheliata.
Families
Gnosonesimidae
Prorhynchidae
At least 18 species and subspecies belong to the Family Prorhynchidae.
More info about the Family Prorhynchidae may be found here.
Sources
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