Pseudocoelomated roundworms

(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
Gr. Askos=bladder, helmins=worm

Free-living or parasitic
Complete tubular digestive tract
Present a cuticle secreted by the
epidermis
Bilateral symmetry
Pseudocelomated
Many present eutely
 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
Gr. Askos=bladder, helmins=worm
TAXONOMY

This group unites phylums that present the aforementioned characteristics

PHYLUM ROTIFERA PHYLUM KINORHYNCHA PHYLUM LORICIFERA

PHYLUM NEMATOMORPHA PHYLUM ACANTHOCEPHALA

PHYLUM LORICIFERA PHYLUM PRIAMPULIDA PHYLUM NEMATODA

 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM ROTIFERA
(L. rota=wheel, fera= to bear)

External features:

The head contains a ciliated corona

Rotifers are small animals (0.1 to 3 mm in length) that are

abundant in most freshwater habitats
Head
Corona
Mouth
Brain

Trunk
anus
Foot
Pedal glands
 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM ROTIFERA
Digestive system:

First time we see a complete digestive system

Corona (uses cilia to facilitate feeding)

Mouth
Pharinx contains the Mastax(the jaws)

Ciliated esophagus and stomach

Salivary and digestive glans secrete enzymes in the pharynx and

stomach

The digestive tract is continued posteriorly and becomes a

cloacal bladder(receives water from the protonephridia and eggs
from the ovaries as well)

The bladder opens via the anus

 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS)
PHYLUM ROTIFERA
Other organs

The Protonephridia has the function of osmoregulation

Exchange gases and dispose of nitrogenous waste across the body

surface

Bilobed ganglionic brain and lateral nerves

Sensory structures

Cilia concentrated Photosensitive

on short antennae eyspots on the
or on the corona head
 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM ROTIFERA

The type of reproduction in the rotifera phylum depends on the class

Reproduction

Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction

Class Seisonidea
Partenogenesis

The development of
embryos occur
without fertilization
Class Bdelloidea
Both types of
reproduction
 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Triploblastic, bilateral, vermiform

Represent some of the most abundant animals on earth

Some are free living and some parasites

They can live in freshwater, salty water or in soil environments

They range in size from microscopic to several meters long

Except in their sensory structures, nematodes lack cilia

Body wall has only longitudinal muscles

Thrashing movements

Body round in cross section and covered by a layered cuticle, molting usually accompanies
growth in juveniles
 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

External features:

Form: Texture:
slender, elongate, cylindrical noncellular, collagenous cuticle

smooth ridges papillae contain spines

Sensory organs:
Used for taxonomical
Anterior Posterior differentiation
chemoreceptors chemoreceptors

Ocelli in aquatic
Amphids Phamids nematodes
 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

External features:

Form:
slender, elongate, cylindrical noncellular, collagenous cuticle

Sensory organs:
smooth ridges papillae contain spines
Texture:
Used for taxonomical
differentiation

Ocelli in aquatic
nematodes
Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Internal features:
The pseudocoelom

Plays the role of hydrostatic

skeleton
smooth ridges papillae contain spines

Used for taxonomical

differentiation

Ocelli in aquatic
nematodes
 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Digestive system:
carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, saprotrophs (that consume decomposing organisms)
or parasitic species

Complete digestive system

Hydrostatic pressure in the pseudocoelom pushes food through the alimentary canal
Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Excretory system:
osmoregulation and excretion of nitrogenous waste products (ammonia, urea)

Glandular Renettes in aquatic

Tubular Renettes in parasites

 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Reproduction:
Most nematodes are dioecious and dimorphic, with the males beingsmaller than the females.
The long, coiled gonads lie free inthe pseudocoelom

hydrostatic forces in the pseudocoelom

move each fertilized egg to the genital
pore

Oviparity and ovoviviparity

External factors influence the development

of the eggs

The larva undergoes four molts

Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Ascaris lumbricoides:
Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Ascaris suum:
Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Trichuris vulpis:
Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Enterobius vermicularis (previously Oxyuris vermicularis):

Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Trichinella spiralis:
 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)

Trichinella spiralis:

Occasional life-threatening manifestations include myocarditis, central nervous system

involvement, and pneumonitis. Larval encystment in the muscles causes myalgia and weakness,
followed by subsidence of symptoms.
 Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)
The Filarial Worms:

Wuchereria bancrofti: Dirofilaria immitis: Dirofilaria repens:

Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)
Wuchereria bancrofti:
Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)
Dirofilaria immitis:
Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATODA
(Gr. nematos, thread)
Dirofilaria repens:
Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM NEMATOMORPHA
(Gr. Nema=thread, morphe=form)
horsehair worms or Gordian worms

The adults are free-living, but the juveniles are all parasitic in arthropods
found in both running and standing water
Pseudocoelomated roundworms
(ASCHELMINTHS OR Nemathelminthes)
PHYLUM ACANTHOCEPHALA
(Gr. Akantha=spine or thorn, kephale=head)

Parasites of the intestinal tracks of fish(usually)

Two hosts are needed to complete the life cycle

juveniles are parasites of crustaceans and insects

No cuticle but a sycytial tegument(adaptation to parasitic

lifestye)

No digestive system-nutrition by absorbtion

The sexes are separate

END