Balanoglossus
| Balanoglossus | |
|---|---|
| Unidentified specimen from Réunion | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Hemichordata |
| Class: | Enteropneusta |
| Order: | Enteropneusta |
| Family: | Ptychoderidae |
| Genus: | Balanoglossus Delle Chiaje, 1829 |
| Species | |
|
See text. | |
Balanoglossus is a genus of ocean-dwelling acorn worms (Enteropneusta). It has zoological importance because, being hemichordates, they are an "evolutionary link" between invertebrates and vertebrates. Balanoglossus is a deuterostome, and resembles the sea squirts (Ascidiacea) in that it possesses branchial openings, or "gill slits". It has a notochord in the upper part of the body and has no nerve chord. It does have a stomochord, however, which is a gut chord within the collar. Their heads may be as small as per 2.5 mm (1/10 in) or as large as 5 mm (1/5 in).
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