How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2005 An Atrial Membrane in the Colonial Ascidian, Ritterella tokioka (Urochordata: Ascidiacea) from Sagami Bay
Teruaki Nishikawa
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

An atrial membrane, similar to that previously reported (as a placental membrane) in Placentela crystallina Redikorzev, 1913, has been found in the holotype and other specimens of another aplousobranch ascidian, Ritterella tokioka Kott, 1992 (=R. pedunculata Tokioka, 1953). In serial sections, the membrane is seen to be an extensive fold of the atrial epithelium over the rectum that projects into the atrial cavity and supports developing embryos over its outer surface. The similar states in the atrial membrane seen in the two species are attributable to homoplasy, rather than homology.

Teruaki Nishikawa "An Atrial Membrane in the Colonial Ascidian, Ritterella tokioka (Urochordata: Ascidiacea) from Sagami Bay," Zoological Science 22(3), 363-366, (1 March 2005). https://doi.org/10.2108/zsj.22.363
Received: 11 March 2004; Accepted: 1 December 2004; Published: 1 March 2005
KEYWORDS
Ascidiacea
atrial membrane
homoplasy
morphology
Ritterella
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top