The anatomical characters related to the brooding behavior of two Antarctic species of Mysella Angas, 1877 (Bivalvia, Galeommatoidea, Lasaeidae), with direct and indirect evidences of ovoviviparity

Brood protection is a common feature of marine bivalves from higher latitudes. In this study the pallial organs of the Antarctic bivalves, Mysella charcoti (Lamy, 1906) and M. narchii Passos & Domaneschi, 2006 were investigated with respect to anatomical characters related to brooding. Both species are simultaneous hermaphrodites and their eggs contain a large amount of yolk. The number of broods ranges from 16 to 30 in M. narchii and 7-27 in M. charcoti, and ovoviviparity was observed for both. Their ctenidia differ in structure, those of M. charcoti being simpler. In M. narchii there is a large elasticity of the tissue of the marginal food grooves of ctenidia, and cilia are much more abundant on the ctenidial abfrontal surface and on the visceral mass epithelium than in M. charcoti. Anatomical characters of M. charcoti can be considered derived when compared to those of M. narchii. In conclusion, detailed anatomical characters related to brooding may be useful in future systematic studies of Antarctic Bivalvia.