Animal Phyla/Acoelomorpha
- Acoelomorpha
- Name Meaning: With gut
- English Common Name: Acoels
- Major distinguishing characteristics: No mouth or alimentary canal
- Approximate number of species described: unknown
Natural History
editAll but two freshwater species are marine. All are aquatic. They live between the grains of sand, in the water column as plankton, or crawling on the substrate or other organisms.
Taxonomy
editSome consider this group to be a Subphylum of Xenacoelomorpha.
There are two Classes that traditionally belong to the Phylum regardless of their placement.
- Acoela
- Nemertodermatida
Anatomy
editThe Acoelomorpha resemble flat worms. Their internal structures are so simple they have no real internal structures.
The Fossil Record
editThere is no known fossil record.
Quiz
editReferences and Further Reading
edit- Acoelomorpha on Encyclopedia of Life
- Acoelomorpha at Wikipedia