Anatomy of Laevipilina antarctica, a Monoplacophoran Limpet (Mollusca) from Antarctic Waters

• Published in: Acta Zoologica
• Main Authors: Schaefer, Kurt, Haszprunar, Gerhard
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1996
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-6395.1996.tb01275.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1463-6395.1996.tb01275.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1463-6395.1996.tb01275.x

Abstract The anatomy of the neopilinid limpet Laevipilina antarctica is described on the basis of reconstructions of semithin serial section. In general the anatomy of this small (3.2 mm) species resembles those of Neopilina galatheae (37 mm) and Vema ewingi (27 mm); small differences occur in the alimentary tract. Corrections of the original descriptions of neopilinid anatomy concern the structure of the mantle margin, the presence and interpretation of cephalic appendages, and details of the nervous system. The excretory organs are clearly separated from each other and there is no connection with the pericardium. The neopilinid ctenidia are considered as ventilatory rather than respiratory organs. These corrections and clarifications of the neopilinid anatomy provide an improved database for discussion on monoplacophoran affinities. In contrast to popular statements about “living fossils”, the extant Tryblidiida (Neopilinoidea) are regarded as a considerably modified and specialized early conchiferan branch.