Revised 10/24/22
anterior sensillae rarely setiform;
stoma with teeth or odontostyle;
esophagus cylindrical, maybe expanded posteriorl and appear bottle-shaped, or a stichosome;
caudal glands usually absent;
esophageal glands open in posterior region of esophagus
free-living in freshwater or soil, parasites of vertebrates and invertebrates, and plant-feeders
Order 1. Dorylaimida - movable mural tooth or hollow spear.
all soil or freshwater inhabitants, no marine.
Longidoridae are plant parasites and vectors of plant viruses.
Order 2. Mermithida multiple glandular esophagus - stichosome- invertebrate parasites, e.g., Mermis, Romanomermis.
Order 3. Mononchida - strong, cuticularized stoma,
predaceous and cannibalistic
soil and freshwater, no marine.
Order 4. Dioctophymatida
parasites of mammals (e.g. Dioctophyme renale, , birds and fish.
Order 5. Trichinellida - multiple glandular esophagus - stichosome
vertebrate parasites, e.g., Trichinella spiralis (trichinosis), Trichuris (whip worm)
Order 6. Isolaimiida- long and slender
soil inhabitants.
Order 7. Muspiceida
parasites of mammals
Order 8. Marimermithida
adults free-living, juveniles parasites of invertebrates