Variations in the gut of craniid (inarticulated) brachiopods

Zoolog Sci. 2014 Aug;31(8):542-5. doi: 10.2108/zs130107.

Abstract

Specimens of six species (from two genera) of inarticulated craniid brachiopod were dissected and the gut examined and compared. The gut of the five Novocrania Lee & Brunton 2001 species were very similar, except for some variations in the configuration of the pylorus-intestine. The gut of Neoancistrocrania Laurin 1992 had two distinctly different features from Novocrania; the pharynx-esophagus-stomach forms a dorsally directed half loop and the pylorus-intestine is straight. Neoancistrocrania has four unique soft-tissue features and should remain a separate genus from Novocrania.

Keywords: Neoancistrocrania; Novocrania; anatomy; brachiopod; gut.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / anatomy & histology*
  • Invertebrates / anatomy & histology*
  • Species Specificity