Rhabdite Explained

Rhabdites (from Greek, rhabdos, rod) are rodlike structures in the cells of the epidermis or underlying parenchyma in certain turbellarians, and in the epidermis of nemerteans.[1] They are discharged in mucous secretions. They are a defensive mechanism, which dissolve in water, and they are distasteful to most animals who would prey on rhabditid worms. In nemerteans, rhabdites form mucus on which the animals glide.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Walker . J.C. . Anderson . D.T. . D.T. Anderson . Invertebrate Zoology . 1 . 1998 . Oxford University Press Australia . 0-19-553941-9 . 79–85 . The Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Entoprocta and Gnathostomulida.
  2. Martin . Gary G. . 1978 . A New Function of Rhabdites: Mucus Production for Ciliary Gliding . Zoomorphology . Springer-Verlag . 91 . 3 . 235–248 . 10.1007/BF00999813 . 206787592 .

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