Amphioxus
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The 1930s encyclopedia article discusses the amphioxus (lancetlet), a primitive representative of the acraniate group found in European coastal waters. It highlights its significance as a foundational model for understanding the evolutionary origins of vertebrates due to its lack of a differentiated brain.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
AMPHIOXUS, or lancelet (Amphioxus lanceolatus), a representative of the phylum of acraniates (Acephala), is found in the sand of the coastal strip of European seas. Due to its primitive organization (absence of a differentiated brain, etc.), it has served as a starting form for understanding the evolutionary process among vertebrates. The amphioxus is an object of numerous investigations in both anatomy and embryology.
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“Amphioxus.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/amphioxus/