Sagittiferidae is a family of acoelomorph worms.

Systematics

The family is divided into five genera (see taxobox) and contains about 20 species (Turbellarian taxonomic database, 2006). The affinities of the genera are as yet unclear. Some biologists prefer to exclude the genus Praesagittifera, leaving into the family only the genera with sagittocysts (Achaz et al, 2005).

Characteristics

Sagittiferidae are small flat worm-like animals. Several of them grow symbiotic algae Tetraselmis in their body cavity and tissues.

Special characteristics include a ciliated or non-ciliated sac-like male antrum. Most members have sagittocysts (Kostenko&Mamkaev,1990)

References

• Turbellarian taxonomic database online
• Achaz,J.G, Gschwentner,R, Rieger,R, "Symsagittifera smaragdina sp. nov.: A new acoel (Acoela: Acoelomorpha) from the Mediterranean Sea", Zootaxa 1085: 33-45, 2005
• Kostenko,A.G, Mamkaev,Y.V. "The position of "green convoluts" in the system of acoel turbellarians (Turbellaria, Acoela). 1. Simsagittifera gen. n. 2. Sagittiferidae fam. n", Zool Zh 69(6):11-21,1990