Trichoplax adhaerens
Description: The enigmatic phylum Placozoa is the only animal phylum harboring a single species, Trichoplax adhaerens (live photograph of an adult specimen),
only. New genetic methods, however, have revealed that this phylum indeed harbor more than 100 to 200
yet undescribed species. This case of under-represented diversity in a phylum is unique. These animals are of particular importance to systematics and evolution
since they might represent the ancestors of all other metazoans.
Author: Schierwater, Bernd
JPG file - 310.03 kB - 800 x 537 pixels
added on 2009-07-29 - 663 views
WoRMS Taxa on this image:
Trichoplax adhaerens Schulze, 1883 - checked by Schierwater, Bernd on 2009-07-29 12:22:18
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