Family Epsilonematidae

Revised 02/01/24

Nematoda

Chromadorea

Chromadoria

Desmodorida

Desmodorina

Desmodoroidea

 

Epsilonematidae Steiner, 1927

Marine nematodes. Frequently found with supralittoral or intertidal marine fauna, but also in the deep sea.  Coral fragments are an ideal substrate.

Metepsilonema Metepsilonema showing ventral setae.

photos by Ulrich Zunke

           

Nematodes of the Epsilonematidae are adapted to functioning and surviving in environments with strong current through the adapatation of adhesive and ambulatory setae  Frequently they have been found associated with and adhering to coral and sponge fragments as well as in sediments.

Nematodes of the Epsilonematidae predominated in the nematode assemblages of shallow subtidal areas of the Italian coast, probably due to the occurrence of coarse sediments. (Sandulli et al., 2011)

 

References:

Leduc, D., Zhao, Z. 2016. Phylogenetic relationships within the superfamily Desmodoroidea (Nematoda: Desmodorida), with descriptions of two new and one known species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 176: 511–536. https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12324

Raes, M., W. Decraemer and A. Vanreusel. 2006. Postembryonic morphology in Epsilonematidae, with a discussion on the variability of caudal gland outlets.  J. Nematology 38:97-118.

Raes, M., Decraemer, W., Vanreusel, A. 2008. Walking with worms: coral-associated epifaunal nematodes. J. Biogeography 35:2207-2222.

Sandulli, R., De Leonardis, C., Vincx, M., Vanaverbeke, J. 2011. Geographical and depth-related patterns in nematode communities from some Italian Marine Protected Areas. Italian J. Zoology, 78: 505-516.

Steiner, G. 1927. Epsilonematidae, a new nemic family. The Journal of Parasitology, 14:65-66.

 

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