Perepsilonema		Contents		Rev 08/24/2026
		Classification		Biology and Ecology
		Morphology and Anatomy		Life Cycle
Return to Perepsilonema Menu				Ecosystem Functions and Services
		Distribution		Management
Return to Epsilonematidae Menu		Feeding		References
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 Classification:

Chromadorea

  Chromadoria

   Desmodorida

Desmodorina

             Desmodoroidea

              Epsilonematidae

     Epsilonematinae

     Perepsilonema Lorenzen, 1973

  Type species:  Perepsilonema papulosum Lorenzen, 1973

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Morphology and Anatomy:

• 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 anfVincx 1993).
• Amphideal fovea spiral and with sexual dimorphism.
• Copulatory thorns usually present.
• Posterior-most tail annules with paired subdorsal row of small spines.
• 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.  

Ref: Tchesunov, 2013; Hendricks and Gibbons, 2010; Verschelde and Vincx 1993

Perepsilonema benguelae A=male; B=female; scale bar = 50 microns from Hendricks and Gibbons 2010

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Distribution:

Frequently found with supralittoral or intertidal matine fauna, but also in the deep sea.  Coral fragments are an ideal substrate.

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Feeding:

Food Sources and Feeding strategies for the genus Perepsilonema

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Biology and Ecology:

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Life Cycle:

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Ecosystem Functions and Services:

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Management:

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References:

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.

Tchesunov. A.V. 2013. 7.13 Order Desmodorida de Coninck, 1965 In Schmidt-Rheas and de Gruyter, W. Handbook of Zoology.Gastrocticha, Cycloneuralia, Gnatifera. Volume 2: Nematoda.

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Revised by Howard Ferris.
Revised: August 24, 2026.