a larva of the Common Lancelet (Branchiostoma lanceolatum)

Franz Neidl · Post by **Franz Neidl** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 5:21 am

Several days ego I found this animal in the seaplancton. It was the first time in my life and I was very surprised. Is it a fish or not a fish? I studied my books and I discovered that is a very known animal in all textbooks of biology: the larva of Branchiostoma lanceolatum (syn. Amphioxus) from the Acrania. This animal is an ancestor of the vertebrates and therefore it is studied now a lot in genetics and evolution studies.

Brightfield, objective 4x, 3 pictures.
The third picture is made with polarized light in order to have a better view of the structure (the Neural cord and the Notochord).

Franz Neidl

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:01 am

Franz,

Very nice, specially the last one.

Rogelio

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 12:05 pm

I had never heard of this mini beast, very cool!