Citation: Smith, T.B. 1984 Ultrastructure and function of the proboscis in Melanella alba (Gastropoda: Eulimidae). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 64: 503-512
Number of Pages: 10
Volume Part: 3
Keywords: Connemara, Disease, Echinodermata, Fauna, Galway, Marine, Mollusca, Parasite, Sublittoral
Abstract: Paper discusses the free living eulimid gastropod Melanella alba, which is an ectoparasite on echinoderms. In Kilkerran Bay, on the west coast of Ireland, it is found exclusively associated with the holothuroid Neopentadactyla mixta. Adult specimens of both species were collected from Kilkerrin Bay and the ultrastructure and histochemistry of the proboscis in Melanella described. Furthermore, the structural changes in the host integument brought about by the proboscis is discussed.