The nervous system of Balanoglossus is of a very primitive type resembling that of coelenterates and echinoderms. Nervous system consists primarily of an epidermal plexus or a layer of nerve cells and nerve fibres lies just below the epidermis. Thread-like processes of the epidermal cells contribute to the network or nerve net. The nervous layer is composed of longitudinal nerve [...]
Balanoglossus is a tubicolous or burrowing and exclusively marine animal. It is found in shallow waters between tide marks along the coast of warm and temperate oceans. Balanoglossus is world-wide in distribution. i. Burrow: Balanoglossus clavigerus is tubicolous living in U-shaped burrows excavated in the sandy bottom. The burrow has two vertical limbs 50 – 70 cm deep and the [...]
The coelom is enterocoelous having been formed as outgrowths of the enteron. Corresponding with the three body regions the coelom is divided into three portions which are completely separated from each other by septa. The coelom is lined with coelomic epithelium or peritoneum. But enteropneusts are peculiar in that their coelomic epithelium has connective tissue and muscle fibres which fill [...]