(Benazzi, 1981)
Overview
Diagnosis: Procerodes anatolicus (Benazzi, 1981) is characterized by the fact that the vasa deferentia join just outside of the penis bulb, by the absence of a true copulatory bursa, and by a dorsal expansion of the bursal canal or female genital duct.
Habitus: According to Benazzi (1981) the preserved holotype was about 4 mm long. Preserved specimens were white with both ends rounded.
Alimentary System
No details have been reported on the gut trunks, but from the sections it could be determined that the anterior ramus of the intestine extends anterior to the eyes.
The pharynx is between one-fourth and one-third of the body length. The inner circular muscle layer of the pharynx is considerably thicker than the outer one. The mouth opening lies at the hind end of the pharyngeal pocket.
Male Reproductive System
The rather large, dorsal testes extend from the level of the ovaries into the hind end of the body. There are about 20 follicles on either side of the body. At the level of the posterior section of the pharyngeal pocket, the vasa deferentia enlarge to form very broad false seminal vesicles. The latter curve dorso-medially and eventually taper to form much narrower ducts, which unite just outside of the penis bulb. The nucleate ejaculatory duct gives rise to a dilatation before opening at the rather blunt tip of the penis papilla. The lining of the latter is underlain with a well developed layer of circular muscles and a thin layer of longitudinal muscle fibres, respectively. The ejaculatory duct is surrounded by circular muscles. The penis bulb is shallow and moderately muscularized.
Female Reproductive System
The paired ovaries are situated directly behind the brain, dorsally to the ventral nerve cords. The vitellaria are well developed, occupying the entire space between dorsal and ventral body surface and extending from the level of the ovaries into the hind end of the body.
The oviducts arise from the ventral surface of the ovaries and run dorsally to the ventral nerve cords. Behind the gonopore the oviducts curve medially and open separately into the distal end of the diverticulum of the female genital duct. The distal section of this diverticulum shows two small outbulgings, one oriented dorsally and one ventrally. The diverticulum receives the openings of shell glands.
The female genital duct or bursal canal communicates with the atrium and shows a large, dorsal expansion, which contains sperm. The canal is surrounded by a well developed inner layer of circular muscles and an equally well developed outer layer of longitudinal muscle fibres. On the rounded expansion both muscle layers are more or less intermingled. Both the bursal canal and its expansion are lined with cuboidal, nucleate cells. Cilia are present in the bursal canal and its diverticulum, but presence of cilia could not be observed unequivocally in the expansion.
Eyes
The eye cups probably contain three retinal cells, but no unequivoval information could be obtained on the exact number of retinal clubs.
Ecology
At the type locality specimens collected from a freshwater well which functioned as a watering place for cattle, although there is a possibility for the sea to invade the locality (M. Benazzi in litt.).
Distribution
Type locality: Vilayet Sinop, Gerze, Turkey (41°48'N 35°13'E). P. anatolica is known only from its type locality.
Material Examined, Type Material
Benazzi's collection (Institute of Zoology, University of Pisa, Italy): Holotype: 2.06.1969, sagittal sections on 4 slides; Paratype: sagittal sections on 3 slides.