Xenopleura Gilchrist, 1925

Deland, C., Cameron, C. B., Rao, K. P., Ritter, W. E. & Bullock, T. H., 2010, A taxonomic revision of the family Harrimaniidae (Hemichordata: Enteropneusta) with descriptions of seven species from the Eastern Pacific, Zootaxa 2408 (1), pp. 1-30 : 5

Genus Xenopleura Gilchrist, 1925

Type species. Xenopleura vivipara Gilchrist, 1925

Diagnosis. Genus characterized by medullary folds in trunk extending posteriorly on dorsal side into low pleurae. Proboscis not elongate, its longitudinal muscles scattered ( Fig. 1 C ). Stomochord lacking vermiform process and continuous through buccal cavity as two dorsolateral folds. A single proboscis pore. Posterior margin of collar fused with trunk and no nerve roots present in collar nerve cord. Branchial skeleton lacks synapticula, internal hepatic caeca present in trunk.

Remarks. This genus, described from only one specimen, could be viviparous.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Light micrographs of transverse sections of the proboscis of: A, Saccoglosus pusillus, showing the arrangement of the proboscis longitudinal musculature in concentric rings. B, Protoglossus mackiei n. sp., showing the arrangement of the proboscis longitudinal musculature in radial plates. C, Mesoglossus macginitiei n. gen. et n. sp., showing the diffuse arrangement of the proboscis longitudinal musculature. Abbreviations: plm, proboscis longitudinal muscles. Scale bars = 500 µm.