Keratonema		Contents		Rev 08/11/2026
		Classification		Biology and Ecology
		Morphology and Anatomy		Life Cycle
Return to Keratonema Menu				Ecosystem Functions and Services
		Distribution		Management
Return to Epsilonematidae Menu		Feeding		References
		Go to Nemaplex Main Menu		Go to Dictionary of Terminology

 Classification:

Chromadorea

  Chromadoria

   Desmodorida

Desmodorina

             Desmodoroidea

              Epsilonematidae

     Keratonematinae

   

 Keratonema Gourbault & Decraemer, 1986

Type species of the genus: Keratonema singulare Gourbault & Decraemer, 1986

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Morphology and Anatomy:

•  Head capsule heavily cuticularized with minute (possibly nine) subcephalic setae, asymmetrically inserted.
• Ambulatory setae with glandular, articulated, proximal part with asymmetrical arrangement.

Ref: Tchesunov, 2013

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.

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Distribution:

Marine nematodes

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Feeding:

Food Sources and Feeding strategies for the genus Keratonema

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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:

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.

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Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: August 11, 2026.