Paramicrolaimidae Lorenzen, 1981

(transfer to a new order, Microlaimida, proposed per Leduc et al., 2017)

A relatively rare family of free-living marine nematodes.

• Cuticle striated from anterior edge of amphids; no longitudinal bars or cordons.

• Short somatic setae present. Lip pairs usually fused into three, or in some cases two, lobes. Six inner labial papillae present; six outer labial setae located in a separate circle and slightly anterior to the four cephalic setae; cephalic setae located anterior to the amphid. Four subcephalic setae sometimes present at level of amphids.

• Amphidial fovea spiral with less than 2 turns.

• Buccal cavity narrow, tubular, asymmetrical; dorsal tooth present and only protruding slightly into buccal cavity, sometimes with lateral pointed projections, always connected to a dorsal gland; smaller ventrosublateral teeth also present.

• Pharynx muscular, cylindrical, with posterior bulb; muscular cardia present.

• Secretory-excretory system present; renette cell elongated, located at level of or posterior to cardia; excretory ampulla and duct located slightly posterior to level of nerve ring.

• Female reproductive system didelphic-amphidelphic with equally developed branches, ovaries reflexed antidromously.

• Male reproductive system diorchic with two outstretched testes. Spicules symmetrical, arcuate; gubernaculum present. Row of midventral precloacal supplements consisting of cup-shaped structures with spout-like structures pointing posteriorly.

• Three caudal glands and spinneret present.

• Inhabitants of marine sediments, usually coastal, but individuals rhave been reported from the continental slope of New Zealand in the southwest Pacific Ocean.at depths of 374-1513 meters.

• Based on unique morphological and molecular, Leduc et al (2017) proposed a new order, Microlaimida, to accommodate the Paramicrolaimidae, Microlaimidae and Aponchiidae..

Ref: Leduc et al (2017).         

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References

Holovachov, O. and Bostrom, S. 2004. Morphology and systematics of the superfamilies Leptolaimoidea Örley, 1880 and Camacolaimoidea Micoletzky, 1924 (Nematoda: Plectida).  J. Nematode Morphology and Systematics 7:1-49.

Holovachov, O. 2016. Identification keys to genera and species of the suborder Plectina, order Plectida (Nematoda). Swedish Museum of Natural History and ArtDatabanken

Leduc, D., Verdon, V., Zhao, Z.Q. 2017. Phylogenetic position of the Paramicrolaimidae, description of a new Paramicrolaimus species and erection of a new order to accommodate the Microlaimoidea (Nematoda: Chromadorea). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 20, 1–18.

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