Abstract
Abstract. A detailed study of trunk, proboscis, proboscis receptacle, testes, cement gland, and egg dimensions, as well as proboscis hooks and lemnisci length of male and female Neoechinorhynchus cylindratus in various size classes, revealed three patterns of growth. The first, involving an initial lack of growth followed by a gradual increase, was noted only in body diameter and is considered to be responsible for change of body form from anteriorly robust in juveniles to more uniformly cylindrical in larger adults. The second pattern was characterized by an initial surge of growth followed by slow or no growth and was evident in the proboscis, proboscis hooks, eggs, and proboscis receptacle. The third pattern, involving continuous and progressive growth in all worm size classes, was documented for the lemnisci, testes, and cement gland. The stability of proboscis and egg dimensions and proboscis hooks length confirm their taxonomic utility for worms beyond the juvenile stage. The proboscis receptacle might also represent a taxonomically important characteristic.
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