Xyala smo		Contents		Rev: 04/13/2026
		Classification		Biology and Ecology
		Morphology and Anatomy		Life Cycle
Return to Xyala Menu		Economic Importance		Ecosystem Functions and Services
		Distribution		Management
Return to Xyalidae Menu		Feeding		References
		Go to Nemaplex Main Menu		Go to Dictionary of Terminology

Classification:

Chromadorea

  Chromadoria

   Monhysterida

Monhysterina

Sphaerolaimoidea

                 Xyalidae

       Xyala smo Warwick & Platt, 1973

    Synonyms:
     

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Morphology and Anatomy:

• Cuticle transversly striated and marked with longitudinal files of cuticular blocks. Anteriorly the blocks are dumbell shaped eand gradually reduceuntil no longer vsible by mid-esophagus level.
• Mouth surrounded by six high and rather hyaline lips with short 3-4 um labial setae. At the anterior end of the buccal cavity  are six V-shaped cuticular ridges extending into the lips.
• Six pairs of unequal cephalic setae, 24-28 um and 18-21 um long with withered-looking tips. Four very short submedian setae on the head and a few cervical  setae, up to 29 im long.
• Amphids  thin walled and  ovoid,  25-31 um from the anterior.
• Esophagus cylindrical without posterior bulb.
• Tail in male  7.2-7.6 cbd long, with the anterior two thirds tapering and the posterior third cylindrical and with 2 subventral rows of short setae. In female it is 9.3-11.0 ab eters long and more evenly tapered throughout its length.
  

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Distribution:

Described from sandy sediments on beach at Firemore Bay, Loch Ewe, Scotland.

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Economic Importance:

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Feeding:

Free-living marine nematodes. Probably epistrate microbial feeders

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Biology and Ecology:

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Life Cycle:

Ecophysiological Parameters:

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Ecosystem Functions and Services:

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Management:

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References:

Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: April 13, 2026.