Gononemertes australiensis | |
---|---|
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Nemertea |
Class: | Hoplonemertea |
Order: | Monostilifera |
Family: | Prosorhochmidae |
Genus: | Gononemertes |
Species: | G. australiensis
|
Binomial name | |
Gononemertes australiensis Gibson, 1974
|
Gononemertes australiensis is a parasitic ribbon worm.[1] It lives commensally in the ascidian Pyura pachydermatina found in the sublittoral waters of the New Zealand. G. australiensis was found in specimens of P. pachydermatina collected in Sydney harbor.[note 1] These worms were found specifically in the atrium of P. pachydermatina.[2] It is dioecious and has several gonads. Each of its gonads produce several oocytes while the male worms carry testes along its parenchyma. Fertilization is external.[2]