Revised 04/03/22
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 dapatation of adhesive and ambulatory setae Frequently they have been found associated with and adhering to coral and sponge fragments as well as in sediments.
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.
Steiner, G. 1927. Epsilonematidae, a new nemic family. The Journal of Parasitology, 14:65-66.