Marb 435 1st Edition Lecture 9Current Lecture: Nemertea (Ribbon Worms)- Most species are less than 20 cm long, some are just a few mm and some can grow VERYlong- Mostly marine, but include also freshwater or terrestrial representatives- Externally ciliated- Glandular epidermis: secretes a sticky, toxic mucus- Often brightly colored (probably aposematic)Many nemerteans have direct development but some have a pelidium larva in their life cycleTerms to know: Rhynchocoel-body cavity that ribbon wormsposess.Proboscis- Separate from the digestive tract- Suspended in the rhynchoel (a coelomic cavity)- Can be everted within split seconds through the proboscis pore- Some have stylets and/or paralytic toxins- Can be retracted again with the proboscis retractor muscleLifestyles- Mostly predators: feed mainly on worms, clams, crustaceans- Some species are scavengers of dead animals- Armed nemerteans inject toxins into their prey (e.g. ________ among others)These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Some species pursue their prey, such as other worms, by following their mucus
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