Abstract
SUMMARY With Florianella, Bertiliella and Acanthiella, three new genera of Turbellaria are described, one from deep mud bottoms off Norway, and two from sandy bottoms off the south-eastern United States. Whereas the new family Bertiliellidae (within Turbellaria-Eukalyptorhynchia) is established for the two former genera, the latter is of uncertain systematic position, combining features of Archoophora and Prolecithophora-Combinata. All three genera are characterized by a spicular skeleton located in the basement membrane. In the Bertiliellidae the spicules are calcareous (aragonite). A survey of other spiculiferous Turbellaria and meiofauna in general suggests that spicular skeletons, instead of being a special adaptation to the interstitial environment, play a role in body support and tissue economy, and are, in some cases (Turbellaria and Mollusca), possibly relics indicating phylogenetic relationship.
Published Version
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