title: Evolution and Functional Morphology of the Proboscis in Kalyptorhynchia (Platyhelminthes).
abstract: Predatory flatworms belonging to the taxon Kalyptorhynchia are characterized by an anterior muscular proboscis that they use to seize prey. In many cases, the proboscis is armed with hooks, derived either from the extracellular matrix that surrounds the muscles or from intracellular deposits in the epithelium covering the proboscis. Glands associated with the proboscis reportedly are venomous; however, there are few direct tests of this hypothesis. This article reviews the structure and current knowledge of the function of the proboscis in the Kalyptorhynchia, points to areas in which the current understanding of phylogenetic relationships within this taxon is incongruent with our hypothesis of how the proboscis evolved, and addresses areas in need of further research, especially as regards functional morphology and biomechanics.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Biology, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733, USA; smithj@winthrop.edu.
authors.forename: Julian P S
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA;
authors.forename: Marian K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Litvaitis
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500 Belgium;
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gobert
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA 31698, USA;
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uyeno
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500 Belgium.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Artois
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D010802:Phylogeny; D010986:Platyhelminths / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D011235:Predatory Behavior