Issue Title: Morphology, Molecules, Evolution and Phylogeny in Polychaeta and Related Taxa The article summarizes our up to date knowledge about the morphology of the annelid, especially the ...polychaete, central and peripheral nervous system. Since the cephalic nervous system was in the focus of controversial discussions for decades, the structure of its neuropile, associated ganglia and nerves is reviewed in detail. The enormous variation of the ventral nerve cord and peripheral nerves is presented as well as a theory how this might have evolved. A ground pattern of the polychaete nervous system is suggested, based on developmental and regeneration studies.PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
Earlier papers dealing with the anatomy of the central nervous system of ampharetids, pectinariids and terebellids were studied. On this basis a re‐investigation appeared necessary: statements in the ...literature about the structure of the brain and the innervation of the appendages of the anterior end were incomplete and contradictory. In the present paper, the brain, the circum‐oesophageal connectives and the innervation of, inter alia, the tentacular membrane (including the dorsal ridge), the buccal tentacles, the alimentary canal, the nuchal organs and the branchiae (when present) of Amphicteis gunneri, Anobothrus gracilis, Melinna cf. cristata, Pectinaria auricoma, P. belgica, P. koreni, Petta pusilla, Pista cristata, Eupolymnia nebulosa, Thelepus cincinnatus and Polycirrus medusa are described. The results are summarized in schematic diagrams and compared with each other and with the central nervous system of other polychaetes. It is concluded that the ampharetids, the pectinariids and the terebellids bear no antennae and no palps and that their buccal tentacles belong to the alimentary canal. It is emphasized that all attempts to range their cephalic nervous system into previously proposed common and general schemes of ‘the polychaete nervous system’ seem totally fruitless.
Earlier papers dealing with the architecture of the cephalic nervous system of the Eunicea were studied. Thereby, a re‐investigation appeared necessary: the existing literature proved insufficient ...for detailed comparisons with other polychaete families and many earlier statements and conclusions turned out to be quite contradictory, especially as concerns the homologues of the anterior end appendages. In the present paper, the microanatomy of the brain and the innervation of, inter alia, the antennae, the nuchal organs and the alimentary canal of Hyalinoecia tubicola, Nothria conchylega, Eunice norvegica and E. pennata are described. The results are summarized in schematic diagrams and tables and compared with corresponding observations in other polychaete families. Thereby, some earlier opinions about the morphological value of the cephalic appendages of the Eunicea are strengthened while others are rejected. On the basis of the present observations and earlier results arrived at by the present author, and as an object for future discussion and criticism, a diagram of the fundamental constitution of the cephalic nervous system of the Polychaeta is tentatively outlined.
Earlier papers dealing with the anatomy of the hesionids and syllids were studied. Thereby it was found that information about the structure of the central nervous system was meagre. As a result, the ...anterior end appendages, especially the large, laterloventral ones of the Syllidae, have been differently interpreted. This prompted a re‐investigation. The circum‐oesophageal connectives, the brain commissures and the innervation of the alimentary canal and the cephalic appendages of a number of hesionid and syllid species were studied. The results, summarized in schematic diagrams, were compared with corresponding observations in other polychaete families. Among other things, it was concluded that not only the latero‐ventral cephalic appendages of the hesionids but also those of the syllids are homologous with the palps of the nereids and of many other “errant” and “sedentary” families.
Earlier papers dealing with the microanatomy of the nereid brain have been studied. On this basis a re‐investigation of the cephalic nervous system and of the innervation and homologues of the ...anterior end appendages of these animals appeared necessary: the existing literature proved insufficient for detailed comparisons with other polychaete families and many earlier statements were quite contradictory. In the present paper, the brain commissures and the innervation of, inter alia, the antennae and the palps of Neanthes virens and Nereis pelagica are described. Special attention was paid to the roots of the circum‐oesophageal connectives and the ganglia in this part of the nervous system. The results, summarized in schematic diagrams and tables, are compared with corresponding observations in 14 other polychaete families. In a discussion of the architecture of the polychaete nervous system as a phylogenetic instrument, the supposed segmentation of the polychaete brain is questioned and the idea that the configuration of the polychaete nervous system offers support to the cyclomer theory is rejected. Other conclusions concerning the relationships within the Polychaeta are pointed out.
Earlier papers dealing with the innervation and homologues of the anterior end appendages of some aphroditacean families were re‐studied. However valuable these earlier works may be, in some respects ...they proved to be insufficient for detailed comparisons with other polychaete families and some of their statements are quite contradictory. This prompted a re‐investigation of the central‐most parts of the nervous system of representatives of the families Polynoidae, Sigalionidae, Aphroditidae and Acoetidae. In the present paper, the brain commissures and the innervation of, inter alia, the antennae, the palps and the ommatophores (when present) in Lepidonotus squamatus, Harmothoe longisetis, Leanira (Sthenolepis) tetragona, Laetmonice producta benthaliana, and Panthalis oerstedi are described. Special attention is paid to the much‐debated question about the presence or absence of a palp ganglion. The results, summarized in schematic diagrams, are compared with corresponding observations of the brains of, above all, the ‘spiomorphic’ polychaetes. Using the first Remanian criterion for identifying homologies, equivalents in the aphroditacean brain and the central nervous system of ‘sedentary’ families are proposed. By this a broader base is established for the discussion regarding the fundamental constitution of the anterior end of the polychaetes and the structure and homologues of their cephalic appendages.
Earlier papers dealing with the anatomy of the amphinomid brain were studied. Discrepancies in the studied works prompted a re‐investigation of the central nervous system of these animals. In this ...paper the brain commissures, the clusters of ganglion cells and the innervation of the antennae, the palps and the nuchal organs of Eurythoe complanata, Amphinome rostrata, Pherecardia striata, and Notopygos variabilis are described in some detail. The brain of Hermodice carunculata is studied more cursorily. The results, summarized in schematic diagrams, are compared with corresponding observations of the brains of ‘spiomorphic’ and ‘serpulimorphic’ polychaetes and to information given by earlier authors about structures in the Nereidiformia and Aphroditiformia. Using the major Remanian criteria for identifying homologies, equivalents in the amphinomid brain and the central nervous systems of some ‘sedentary’ and ‘errant’ families are proposed. As a consequence, some earlier opinions about the morphological value of the cephalic appendages of the amphinomids are strengthened while others are rejected. The necessity of further investigations of the polycheaete nervous system is emphasized.
A reinvestigation of the central nervous system of the Phyllodocidae appeared necessary as the existing literature proved insufficient for detailed comparisons with other polychaete families. Many ...earlier opinions turned out to be quite contradictory, especially as concerns the morphological value of the anterior end appendages. In the present paper the microanatomy of the brain and the anterior ventral cord, as well as the innervation of, inter alia, the cephalic appendages, the nuchal organs and the alimentary canal of Eulalia viridis (main object of study), Eumida sanguinea, Pterocirrus macroceros, Sige fusigera, Eteone picta, E. foliosa, Phyllodoce groenlandica, P. longipes, P. mucosa, Paranaitis wahlbergi, Notophyllum foliosum and Nereiphylla lutea are described. The results are summarized in schematic diagrams and compared with corresponding observations on other polychaete families. Thereby, some earlier opinions about the nature of the cephalic appendages of the Phyllodocidae are strengthened while others are rejected. Most significantly, it is concluded that the so‐called ventrolateral antennae of phyllodocids are homologous with the palps of other polychaetes and the median antenna found in certain genera is homologous with the nuchal papilla found in most other genera of the family. These partly new or revised characters and character states formed the basis for a reconsideration of earlier ideas about the phylogeny of the Phyllodocidae: a new alternative.
