| Macrodasyida | |
|---|---|
| |
| Thaumastoderma ramuliferum (ventral view) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Gastrotricha |
| Order: | Macrodasyida Remane, 1925 [Rao & Clausen, 1970] |
| Families | |
|
See text | |
Macrodasyida is an order of gastrotrichs.[1] Members of this order are somewhat worm-like in form, and not more than 1 to 1.5 mm in length.
Macrodasyids are almost in entirely marine and live in the sediment in marine or brackish water, but two species have been discovered in freshwater.[2] They can be distinguished from other gastrotrichs by the presence of two pores on either side of the pharynx, that allow excess water to be expelled during feeding. The body is dorsally flattened and there are tubular adhesive glands at both ends and on the lateral surfaces. These animals are detritivores and are hermaphrodites.[3]
- ^ Todaro, Antonio (2013). "Macrodasyida". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
- ^ Todaro, M. A.; Dal Zotto, M.; Jondelius, U.; Hochberg, R.; Hummon, W. D.; Kånneby, T.; Rocha, C. E. (2012). "Gastrotricha: a marine sister for a freshwater puzzle". PLOS ONE. 7 (2): e31740. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...731740T. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031740. PMC 3279426. PMID 22348127.
- ^ Ruppert, Edward E.; Fox, Richard, S.; Barnes, Robert D. (2004). Invertebrate Zoology, 7th edition. Cengage Learning. pp. 753–757. ISBN 978-81-315-0104-7.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)