Question

Larva of Balanoglossus is
A) Tornaria
B) Muller’s larva
C) Kintrogen larva
D) Tadpole

Answer 1

Balanoglossus is an ocean-dwelling acorn worm, being a Hemichordate, it is an "evolutionary link" between invertebrates and vertebrates.

Complete Answer:
- Balanoglossus resembles the ascidians or sea squirts, in that it possesses branchial openings or ‘gill slits’ It has notochord in the upper part of the body and has no-nerve cord.
- It has only a Stomachord however which is a gut chord within the collar. Their heads may be as small as per 2.5 or as large as 5mm.

The simple animal shows affinities with several diverse groups' classification.
- Kingdom- Animalia
- Phylum- Hemichordata
- Class- Enteropneusta
- Order- Enteropneusta
- Family- ptychodera
- Genus- Balanoglossus

1. Habit: Balanoglossus Is a tuberculous which is exclusively a marine animal. It is found in shallow water between tide marks along the coast of warm and temperate oceans.

2. Tornaria: A tornaria is the planktonic larva of some species of Hemichordata such as the acorn worms. It is an oval-shaped, transparent larva.
   - The diameter of the body is about 3mm. It has an apical plate, which is a thicken region provided by a tuft of cilia and a pair of eyespots. The larva has a complete alimentary canal. The ciliary band stretches throughout the anterior. And posterior region, and also the posted region.
   - Balanoglossus is less sensitive in response to external stimuli. I take sand- containing diatoms, protozoa and many other microorganisms, the tornaria larva of Balanoglossus is a free-swimming planktonic form which exploits the natural resources of the sea Balanoglossus emits a peculiar odor resembling that of iodoform.
   - This is regarded as a protective device, it is a sluggish animal and proboscis is the most active part of the body.

Note: Balanoglossus larva Tocharian is a very similar bipinnaria larva of starfishes that consolidated bands of cilia running around the body. The food of Balanoglossus is small micro-organisms and small organic particles present in water.