Rhabdites

Definition

Rhabdites are rod-like structures found in the epidermal cells of certain flatworms, especially turbellarians. They play a role in mucus production and may help in locomotion and protection against predators.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rhabdites are produced by the epidermal cells of flatworms.
2. When discharged, rhabdites swell and form a mucous coating on the worm's surface.
3. They are most commonly found in free-living turbellarians.
4. Rhabdites may serve as a defense mechanism by making the flatworm slippery or unpalatable to predators.
5. The presence of rhabdites is one of the distinguishing features of certain classes within the phylum Platyhelminthes.

Review Questions

• What is the primary function of rhabdites in flatworms?
• In which group of flatworms are rhabdites most commonly found?
• How do rhabdites protect flatworms from predators?

Related terms

Turbellaria: A class within the phylum Platyhelminthes that includes mostly free-living flatworms.

Epidermis: The outermost layer of cells covering an organism, involved in protection and secretion.

Platyhelminthes: A phylum of simple bilaterian, unsegmented, soft-bodied invertebrates known as flatworms.