Rev 03/21/2022
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Type species: Perepsilonema papulosum Lorenzen, 1973
The genus Perepsilonema was erected by Lorenzen (1973) who described Perepsilonema papulosum and established the distinguishing features of the genus.
The genus is characterised by four subcephalic setae, one pair of setae close to the amphids, the absence of dorsal thorns posterior to the cephalic capsule and the absence of ambulatory setae (Hendricks and Gibbons, 2010; Verschelde & Vincx 1993).
Epsilonematidae are characterized by having an ε-shaped body (hence the name) and setae used in looper locomotion on the ventral surface of the body. The condition of separate outlets for the three caudal glands is common among the genera of this family.
Frequently found with supralittoral or intertidal matine fauna, but also in the deep sea. Coral fragments are an ideal substrate.
Hendricks, M.G.J., Gibbons, M.J. 2010. Two new nematode species from Saldanha Bay, South Africa: Perepsilonema benguelae sp. nov. and Perepsilonema saldanhae sp. nov. (Desmodorida, Epsilonematidae). Zootaxa 2054:20-30
Lorenzen, S. 1973. Die Familie Epsilonematidae (Nematodes). Mikrofauna Meeresboden, 25: 1-86.
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.
Steiner, G. 1927. Epsilonematidae, a new nemic family. The Journal of Parasitology, 14,:65-66.