Abstract
PRESENT-DAY authorities agree that, within the Mollusca, the chitons (or Polyplacophora) are closely related to the solenogastres (or Aplacophora). An important item influencing this view is the description, by Pruvot1, of the development of seven overlapping, dorsal, plate-like spicules in the metamorphosing larva of the solenogastre, Nematomenia banyulensis. The appearance of these spicules has been considered to be a reminiscence of a chiton-like ancestor and, no doubt, has influenced many authors in coming to the conclusion that the solenogastres are degenerate chitons. Pruvot's description was based on observations on a single larva, but nonetheless the figure he gave of this developmental stage has been widely reproduced in general works.
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References
Pruvot, G., C.R. Acad. Sci., Paris, 3, 689 (1890).
Baba, K., J. Dept. Agric. Kyusyu Univ., 6, 21 (1938).
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THOMPSON, T. Development of the Aplacophorous Mollusc Neomenia carinata Tullberg. Nature 184, 122–123 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/184122b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/184122b0
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