Rhabdite

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Rhabdites (from Greek, rhabdos, rod) are rodlike structures in the cells of the epidermis or underlying parenchyma in certain turbellarians, and in the epidermis of nemerteans. [1] They are discharged in mucous secretions. They are a defensive mechanism, which dissolve in water, and they are distasteful to most animals who would prey on rhabditid worms. In nemerteans, rhabdites form mucus on which the animals glide. [2]

Nemertea Phylum of worms

Nemertea is a phylum of invertebrate animals also known as "ribbon worms" or "proboscis worms". Alternative names for the phylum have included Nemertini, Nemertinea and Rhynchocoela.. Most are very slim, usually only a few millimeters wide, although a few have relatively short but wide bodies. Many have patterns of yellow, orange, red and green coloration.

Notes

  1. Walker, J.C.; Anderson, D.T. (1998). "The Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Entoprocta and Gnathostomulida". In D.T. Anderson (ed.). Invertebrate Zoology (1 ed.). Oxford University Press Australia. pp. 79–85. ISBN   0-19-553941-9.
  2. Martin, Gary G. (1978). "A New Function of Rhabdites: Mucus Production for Ciliary Gliding". Zoomorphology. Springer-Verlag. 91 (3): 235–248. doi:10.1007/BF00999813 . Retrieved 26 Jan 2011.


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