Xenoturbella japonica is a marine benthic worm-like species that belongs to the genus Xenoturbella. It has been discovered in western Pacific Ocean by a group of Japanese scientists from the University of Tsukuba. The species was described in 2017 in a study published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology,[1] and amended in 2018.[2]
Xenotrubella japonica is known for lacking respiratory, circulatory and an excretory system.[3][4][1]
The etymology of the species name corresponds to the locality where the specimens were sampled.
Xenoturbella japonica is 5.3 cm (2.1 in) in length, with a pale orange colouration. The body wall displays ring and side furrows. The mouth is orientated ventrally, just anterior to the ring furrow. The live specimen exhibits a conspicuous ventral epidermal glandular network.[1] Tissues contain exogenous DNA corresponding to bivalve mollusks, the vesicomyid Acila castrensis and Nucula nucleus.[1]
Comparison of mitochondrial DNA and protein sequences showed that the species Xenoturbella japonica is the sister group to X. bocki and X. hollandorum into a clade of 'shallow-water' taxa.
Species-level cladogram of the genus Xenoturbella. Xenacoelomorpha Xenoturbella 'Shallow' clade 'Deep' clade The cladogram has been reconstructed from mitochondrial DNA and protein sequences.[5][1] Longitudinal section of a congeneric species, Xenoturbella bocki Xenoturbella japonica is a marine benthic worm-like species that belongs to the genus Xenoturbella. It has been discovered in western Pacific Ocean by a group of Japanese scientists from the University of Tsukuba. The species was described in 2017 in a study published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology, and amended in 2018.
Xenotrubella japonica is known for lacking respiratory, circulatory and an excretory system.
