Desmoscolex

 

Contents

 

Rev: 08/26/2024

  Classification Biology and Ecology
Morphology and Anatomy Life Cycle
Return to Desmoscolex Menu Ecosystem Functions and Services
Distribution Management
Return to Desmoscolecidae Menu Feeding  References
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Classification:

Chromadorea
  Chromadoria
  Desmoscolecida
    Desmoscolecina
Desmoscolecoidea
     Desmoscolecidae
Subfamily: Demoscolecinae
        Tribe:  Desmoscolecina
       Desmoscolex Claparede, 1863
Type species of the genus: Desmoscolex minutus Claparede. 1863

    Synonyms:
     

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Morphology and Anatomy:

 

Desmoscolex sp. from depths of Western Pacific Ocean
scanning electron micrograph by Shirayama and Hope, 1992.

  • Labial region of adults covered with cephalic tubercles that are best seen with SEM. (Unlike the simple lip region of Tricoma).

  • Cuticular rings composed of desmens which are rings of sedimentary particles held together by cementing materials (desmos).

  • Amphids large, distally swollen,

  • Tail withs two connection ring; the terminal main ring twice asas the ring anterior to it and ends in a swollen zone, bent ventrally with a terminal spinneret.

  
    Ref: Shirayama and Hope, 1992; Annapurna et al., 2012


Desmoscolex sp from deep ocean.  Source NIWA and D. Leduc. Scale bar = 100um

Desmoscolex sp. from depths of Western Pacific Ocean
scanning electron micrograph by Shirayama and Hope, 1992.
Desmoscolex sp. Female from ocean sample, San Fernando, Veracruz, Mexico
Photomicrograph by Dr. Ignacio Cid del Prado Vera
Males:  

Body size range for the species of this genus in the database - Click:
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Distribution:

Reported from sublittoral sediment  and kelp off the coast of Scotland; West Ireland; northeast England, intertidal seaweeds on Isles of Scilly; also from barua (500 m depth), northeast coast of India (Annapurna et al., 2012).

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Feeding:

Free-living marine nematodes

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Biology and Ecology:

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Life Cycle:

 
 
For Ecophysiological Parameters for this genus, click 
 
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Ecosystem Functions and Services:

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Management:

 
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References:

Annapurna, C., Vijaya Bhanu, C., Srinivasa Rao, M., Sivalakshmi, M.V., Lilly M. .Cooper, G., Rao, Y.K. 2012. Free-living nematodes along the continental slope off northeast coast of India. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. India, 54:52-60.

Coomans, A., Vincx, M., Decraemer, W. 1985. Nematodes from a fresh-water pool on a coral island in the Solomon Islands. Hydrobiologia 123:265-281.

Decraemer, W. and Rho, H.S. 2013. 7.11 Order Desmoscolecida. In Schmidt-Rheas and de Gruyter, W. Handbook of Zoology.Gastrocticha, Cycloneuralia, Gnatifera. Volume 2: Nematoda

Platt, H. M. and R. M. Warwick. 1988. Free-living marine nematodes. Part II: British Chromadorids. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) NO. 38, Brill, E.J., Leiden, 501pp

Shirayama, Y. and Hope. W.D. 1992. Cephalic tubercles: a new character useful for the taxonomy of Desmoscolecida (Nematoda). Trans. Am. Microscop. Assoc: 111:211-222..

 
Copyright 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: August 26, 2024.