Fritillaria (tunicate)

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Fritillaria
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Tunicata
Class: Appendicularia
Order: Copelata
Family: Fritillariidae
Subfamily: Fritillariinae
Genus: Fritillaria
Fol, 1872
Species [1]

See text

Fritillaria is a genus of larvacean tunicates belonging to the family Fritillariidae.

Contents

Anatomy and behavior

Fritillaria differs from other larvaceans like the well-studied Oikopleura by having an elongated trunk region, divided into three distinct sections.

Only the anterior section, comprising the mouth, pharynx and cerebral ganglion, is covered in oikoplastic epithelium. [2] It features a dorsal projection of epithelium, comprising many cellulose-secreting oikoplasts.

The middle section, connected to the front by the oesophagus, comprises the gut and anus, and connects to the tail. In the larva, it is covered by the epithelium, before the latter retracts to the anterior lobe and differentiates into oikoplasts.

The posterior section houses the gonads, growing inside an extension of the trunk.

The latter two sections are devoid of epidermis, instead replaced by a thin cuticular layer secreted by the epithelium during the larval stage.

House

Like other larvaceans, Fritillaria secretes a house made of mucopolysaccharides and cellulose, helping catch food particles for filter-feeding. However, Fritillaria's house does not fully cover the animal, instead only expanding on the anterior side. Also, instead of being discarded when clogged like in other larvacean genera, it is here regularly inflated and deflated, helping cleaning off clogged particles.[ citation needed ]

Distribution

Fritillaria is a widespread genus of larvaceans. Unusually for larvaceans, F. rex has been reported to occur deep into the bathypelagic zone in Monterey Bay. [3]

Species

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References

  1. Garic, R. (2023). World List of Appendicularia. Fritillaria Fol, 1872. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=103358 on 2023-05-14
  2. Henriet, Simon; Aasjord, Anne; Chourrout, Daniel (28 October 2022). "Laboratory study of Fritillaria lifecycle reveals key morphogenetic events leading to genus-specific anatomy". Frontiers in Zoology (19).
  3. Robison, Bruce H.; Sherlock, Rob E.; Reisenbichler, Kim R. (15 August 2010). "The bathypelagic community of Monterey Canyon". Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. 57 (16): 1551–1556. doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.02.021.