General Information:
- Classification: Kingdom Animalia Phylum Nematoda
- Nematodes are clustered with a group of worm-like appearing animals
- They are also called roundworms
- Nematodes are found in every part of the earth's lithosphere, the outermost layer of the earths crust.
- They are durable creatures who survive in a variety of climates
- There name is derived from the Greek word, nematos, meaning thread.
- Body: Durable, flexible, non-cellular cuticle covers a layer of epidermal cells. Underneath is a layer of muscle tissues, in rows of longitude.
- All Nematodes have a circular digestive system
- Very simple body and organ structure. Nematodes are grouped by their internal body cavity called the pseudocoelom.
- There body structure has been reduced and simplified, therefore no longer considered a natural body type.
- Nematodas have no skeleton, and use its cuticle for support and movement
- There are more than 15,000 known species, but scientists predict there are half a million more unknown species.
- Nematodes lay more than 200,000 eggs per day
- Some nematodes are microscopic and only a millimeter long