Question

This animal has a protostome developmental pattern and a trochophore larva. Identify the major clades that this animal belongs to

Answer 1

Answer:

Lophotrochozoans (it is a protostome)

Explanation:

Lophotrochozoa is a group (clade) of protostome animals, i.e. animals that undergo a developmental pattern in which the blastopore develops into the mouth. Lophotrochozoa clade includes bryozoans, annelids, molluscs, brachiopods, and platyhelminthes. Most lophotrochozoans have either a lophophore or trochophore larvae during the planktonic stage. A trochophore larva is a marine planktotrophic larva with several bands of cilia that form the locomotory organ (i.e., the prototroch), which is only found within the Lophotrochozoans.