Prostoma graecense is a species of Nemertea in the family Prostomatidae.[2] It was once called Emea rubrum.[3] It is closely related to Prostoma eilhardi.[4] The species is distributed all across the world.

Prostoma graecense
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nemertea
Class: Hoplonemertea
Order: Monostilifera
Family: Prostomatidae
Genus: Prostoma
Species:
P. graecense
Binomial name
Prostoma graecense
(Böhmig, 1892)
Synonyms[1]
  • Monopora lacustris (du Plessis, 1892)
  • Prostoma jenningsi Gibson & Young, 1971
  • Prostoma rubrum (Leidy)
  • Stichostemma graecense (Böhmig, 1892)
  • Tetrastemma graecense Böhmig, 1893
  • Tetrastemma graecensis Böhmig, 1892
  • Tetrastemma lacustre du Plessis, 1892

Characteristics

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Individuals in this species can reach up to a length of 5 cm.[5] It is hermaphroditic and has 2 or 3 pairs of eyes.[6]

Occurrence

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It is distributed all across the world.[3] However the authenticity of this is hard to tell. It has been reported in the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, Australia,[7] and North America.[4]

It has been reported in Japan, Russia, New Zealand, Kenya,[7] Venezuela, Argentina, and Mexico.[5] Genetic evidence indicates this species was introduced by humans.[8][clarification needed]

It is the only known species of fresh water Nemertea in Australia.[9]

It is rarely found in the United States.[3] But in the state of Connecticut it lives in freshwater habitats. Here it usually lives among algae, plants, or detritus. It is more numerous during the Fall season.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Prostoma graecense". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Prostoma graecense (Böhmig 1892) - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  3. ^ a b c Smith, Douglas Grant (2001-08-07). Pennak's Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States: Porifera to Crustacea. John Wiley & Sons. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-471-35837-4.
  4. ^ a b Clifford, Hugh F. (1991). Aquatic Invertebrates of Alberta. University of Alberta. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-88864-234-9.
  5. ^ a b Damborenea, Cristina; Rogers, D. Christopher; Thorp, James H. (2020-06-26). Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates: Volume 5: Keys to Neotropical and Antarctic Fauna. Academic Press. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-12-804266-3.
  6. ^ a b Hammerson, Geoffrey A. (2004). Connecticut Wildlife: Biodiversity, Natural History, and Conservation. UPNE. p. 191. ISBN 978-1-58465-369-1.
  7. ^ a b Balian, E. V.; Lévêque, C.; Segers, H.; Martens, K. (2008-04-27). Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 64. ISBN 978-1-4020-8259-7.
  8. ^ Thorp, James H.; Rogers, D. Christopher (2014-09-06). Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates: Ecology and General Biology. Elsevier. p. 206. ISBN 978-0-12-385027-0.
  9. ^ Williams, William David (1980). Australian Freshwater Life: The Invertebrates of Australian Inland Waters. Macmillan Education AU. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-333-29894-7.