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A sediment agglutination on females of the free-living marine nematodeDesmodora schulzi

Abstract

Mature females ofDesmodora schulzi Gerlach carry a massive sediment agglutination on the ventral side of their body. Males and juveniles are devoid of the agglutination. It is suggested that this structure, exhibiting a microbe population in some specimens, is either related to some kind of unknown maternal brood-care or provides the reproductive female with extra food necessary for the generation of the large oocytes.

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Contribution No. 38 of the Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research

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Blome, D., Riemann, F. A sediment agglutination on females of the free-living marine nematodeDesmodora schulzi . Helgolander Meeresunters 41, 113–119 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02365102

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