Bathyepsilonema

Bathyepsilonema	Contents	Rev 08/11/2026
	Classification	Biology and Ecology
	Morphology and Anatomy	Life Cycle
Return to Bathyepsilonema 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

Bathyepsilonema Steiner, 1931

Type species of the genus: Bathyepsilonema drygalskii Steiner, 1931

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Morphology and Anatomy:

Bathyepsilonema drygalskii Source: Smithsonian Institution

Body Ɛ-shaped with widest regions at level of pharynx and reproductive system.
Ambulatory setae slightly bent, arranged in six longitudinal rows situa ted at mid-body region, all anterior to vulva.
Supporting setae present.
Rostrum with eight subcephalic setae.
Amphideal fovea spiral, cryptospiral or almost circular with possible sexual dimorphism in size.

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 the Epsilonematidae.

Ref: Tchesunov, 2013

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

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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 Bathyepsilonema

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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:

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.

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.