Choanolaimus psammophilus

Choanolaimus psammophilus	Contents	Rev: 02/22/2026
	Classification	Biology and Ecology
	Morphology and Anatomy	Life Cycle
Return to Choanolaimus Menu		Biology and Ecology
	Distribution	Management
Return to Selachinematidae Menu	Feeding	References
	Go to Nemaplex Main Menu	Go to Dictionary of Terminology

Classification:

Chromadorea
Chromadoria
Chromadorida
Selachinematidae: Choniolaiminae
Choanolaimus psammophilus De Man, 1880

Type species of the genus

Synonyms:

Note: genera designated as family Choanolaimidae are trnsferred to Selachinematidae

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Morphology and Anatomy:

Nematodes around 2 mm long with a thick cuticle that is strongly striated and a rather thick body, around 80 um..
The coloration of the nematode is described as clear and transparent in the esophageal region and milky in the intestine and tail region.
Head region flattened, six lips with two circles of labial papillae.
Buccal-cavity funnel-shaped with cuticularized folds that appear rib-like.
Esophagus cylindrical and muscular with cardiac gland cells between the esophagus and intestine.
Tails of both sexes short and connical with a terminal spinneret.

Ref: Palomo, 1983; Tchesunov, 2013

Choanolaimus

Females:

Males:

Diorchic, with outstretched anterior testis and reflexed posterior testis.
Precloacal supplements (7) are midventral, papilloid and pierced by fine pore
Srong spicules and a gubernaculum.
No caudal alae.

Reported median body size for this species (Length mm; width micrometers; weight micrograms) - Click:

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Distribution:

Freshwater, brackish water and marine habitats, and sand dunes.

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Feeding:

Remains of enchytreids were observed in the intestine of C. psammophilus (Palomo, 1983). Nematode spicules and stylets have also been observed in the intestine.

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Biology and Ecology:

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Life Cycle:

Ecophysiological Parameters:

For Ecophysiological Parameters for this species, click	If species level data are not available, click for genus level parameters

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Biology and Ecology:

Predator,

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Management:

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References:

Palomo, A. 1983. Primera cita en Espana y redescripcion de Choanolaimus psammophilus de Man, 1880 (Nematoda: Choanolaimidae). Nematologia Mediterranea 11:79-85.

Tchesunov, A.V. 2013. 7.12 Order Chromadorida Chitwood, 1933. In Schmidt-Rheas and de Gruyter, W. Handbook of Zoology.Gastrocticha, Cycloneuralia, Gnatifera. Volume 2: Nematoda

Choanolaimus psammophilus

Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris. Revised: February 22, 2026.

Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: February 22, 2026.