RESEARCH ARTICLE

Towards understanding a confusing and widespread species: an anatomical study of Acanthopleura gemmata (Polyplacophora, Chitonidae) from Thailand

Jaime A. Jardim¹, Sergio M. Almeida² & Luiz R. L. Simone³

¹ Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
² Centro de Ciências Biológicas e Saúde, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.

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Abstract

Acanthopleura gemmata has been interpreted as a complex of species. Samples identified as A. gemmata were found on the coast of Thailand. The morphology and anatomy of this population are herein described. Amongst several interesting characters, the most important are the holobranchial and adanal ctenidia, a very delicate kidney restricted to the posterior half of the animal, and a simple esophagus. The odontophore, with a single pair of cartilaginous projections, has a peculiar musculature.

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Cite as: Jardim J.A., Almeida S.M. & Simone L.R.L. (2020) Towards understanding a confusing and widespread species: an anatomical study of Acanthopleura gemmata (Polyplacophora, Chitonidae) from Thailand. Strombus 26(1–2): 01–14.

Publication date: 04 October 2020.