Macrodontium

  

Contents

  

Rev 09/01/2024

  Classification Biology and Ecology
Morphology and Anatomy Life Cycle

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 Ecosystem Functions and Services
Distribution Management
Return to Microlaimidae Menu Feeding  References
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 Classification:

Chromadorea
  Chromadoria
   Desmodorida
Desmodorina
             Microlaimoidea
   Microlaimidae
    Macrodontium Armenteros, Vincx & Decraemer, 2010
   
Type species of the genus is M. gaspari Armenteros, Vincx & Decraemer, 2010.
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Morphology and Anatomy:

  • Cuticle transversely striated.
  • Head with four cephalic sensilla which are larger than six outer labial sensilla.
  • Amphidial fovea cryptospiral without protruding corpus gelatum, larger in male.
  •  Stoma rather large, sclerotised, armed with a large dorsal tooth, two minute consecutive subventral teeth.
  • Esophagus without differentiated anterior part but with terminal bulb.
  • Male monorchic, gubernaculum with one well developed dorso-caudal apophysis.
  •  Female didelphic-amphidelphic with outstretched ovaries.
  • Tail conico-cylindrical in both sexes.

The most conspicuous feature of Macrodontiu is the well sclerotised stoma with one large dorsal tooth and two subventral teeth. Those features are similar to the characteristics of Acanthomicrolaimus and Bolbolaimus.  Macrolaimus differs from Acanthomicrolaimus by having the cuticle with simple straitions rather than spin-like ornamentations.  It differs from Bolbolaimus by having cephalic setae longer than the outer labial setae.

Ref: Armenteros et al., 2010

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

 

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Distribution:

Predominantly marine species.. Described from the muddy sediments of Cienfuegos Bay in the Caribbean Sea.

 

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Feeding:

 Free-living, probably feeding on bacteria and perhaps sediments containing algae and protozoa.

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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:

Armenteros, M., Vincx, M. and Decraemer, W, 2010. Guitartia tridentata n. gen., n. sp. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Macrodontium gaspari n. gen., n. sp. (Chromadorida: Microlaimidae), free-living marine nematodes from the Caribbean Sea. Nematology 12:417-427.
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Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: September 01, 2024.