Gnathostomulid
Encyclopedia : G : GN : GNA : Gnathostomulid
Gnathostomulids, or jaw worms, are a small phylum of nearly microscopic marine animals. Mostly between 0.5 and 1 mm long. Like flatworms they have a ciliated epidermis, but are unique in having but one cilium per cell (Ruppert, Fox & Barnes 2004). Having a bilaterally symmetrical pharynx with complex cuticular mouth parts, they appear closely related to rotifers and their allies, together making up the Gnathifera. Gnathostomulids have no fossil record.
References
- Ruppert, Edward E., Fox, Richard S., Barnes, Robert D. (2004) Invertebrate Zoology (7th ed.). Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning, Belmont, USA
- [ITIS Report: Gnatostomulida]
- [Tropical Medicine Central Resource - Gnathostomiasis]
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