The flatworm Wahlia pulchella is one of 15 members of the turbellarian family Umagillidae that
possesses a secondary uterus, a dilation of the female tract in which egg capsules are stored. Egg
capsules are formed in the primary uterus at rates of 1 every 2.5 -5 h. They pass into the secondary
uterus, where the capsules' walls harden for 12-24 h, and are then released. The time between formation and release of a single capsule is approximately the same for W. pulchella as for intestine inhabiting
umagillids that lack a secondary uterus and that, consequently, produce and release egg
capsules one at a time. Because W. pulchella can form new capsules in the primary uterus before
previously formed capsules have finished hardening, however, the rate of capsule production is 5-15
times greater than that of intestine-inhabiting species that lack a secondary uterus.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Taylor & Francis.
Date Issued
1986
Note
Language
Type
Genre
Form
Extent
17 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00007082
Additional Information
The flatworm Wahlia pulchella is one of 15 members of the turbellarian family Umagillidae that
possesses a secondary uterus, a dilation of the female tract in which egg capsules are stored. Egg
capsules are formed in the primary uterus at rates of 1 every 2.5 -5 h. They pass into the secondary
uterus, where the capsules' walls harden for 12-24 h, and are then released. The time between formation and release of a single capsule is approximately the same for W. pulchella as for intestine inhabiting
umagillids that lack a secondary uterus and that, consequently, produce and release egg
capsules one at a time. Because W. pulchella can form new capsules in the primary uterus before
previously formed capsules have finished hardening, however, the rate of capsule production is 5-15
times greater than that of intestine-inhabiting species that lack a secondary uterus.
possesses a secondary uterus, a dilation of the female tract in which egg capsules are stored. Egg
capsules are formed in the primary uterus at rates of 1 every 2.5 -5 h. They pass into the secondary
uterus, where the capsules' walls harden for 12-24 h, and are then released. The time between formation and release of a single capsule is approximately the same for W. pulchella as for intestine inhabiting
umagillids that lack a secondary uterus and that, consequently, produce and release egg
capsules one at a time. Because W. pulchella can form new capsules in the primary uterus before
previously formed capsules have finished hardening, however, the rate of capsule production is 5-15
times greater than that of intestine-inhabiting species that lack a secondary uterus.
Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution 522
This manuscript is an author version with the final publication
available and may be cited as: Shinn, G. L. (1986). Life history and function of the secondary uterus of
Wahlia pulchella, an umagillid turbellarian from the intestine of a Northeastern pacific sea cucumber
(Stichopus californicus). Ophelia, 25(2), 59-74.
available and may be cited as: Shinn, G. L. (1986). Life history and function of the secondary uterus of
Wahlia pulchella, an umagillid turbellarian from the intestine of a Northeastern pacific sea cucumber
(Stichopus californicus). Ophelia, 25(2), 59-74.
Date Backup
1986
Date Text
1986
DOI
10.1080/00785326.1986.10429714
Date Issued (EDTF)
1986
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00007082
Organizations
Attributed name: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Person Preferred Name
Shinn, G. L.
Physical Description
17 p.
Title Plain
Life history and function of the secondary uterus ofWahlia Pulchella, an umagillid turbellarian from the intestine of a Northeastern pacific sea cucumber(Stichopus californicus)
Origin Information
1986
Taylor & Francis.
Title
Life history and function of the secondary uterus ofWahlia Pulchella, an umagillid turbellarian from the intestine of a Northeastern pacific sea cucumber(Stichopus californicus)
Other Title Info
Life history and function of the secondary uterus ofWahlia Pulchella, an umagillid turbellarian from the intestine of a Northeastern pacific sea cucumber(Stichopus californicus)