Nematode Notes

Nematoda are commonly known as roundworms. They are abundant, with over 20,000 named species. Nematodes can be free-living or parasitic. They have cylindrical bodies, pseudocoeloms, and must shed their cuticles to grow. They have specialized tissues and organ systems. Reproduction is usually sexual but some undergo parthenogenesis. Nematodes use longitudinal muscles and a pressurized pseudocoelom to move in a spiral motion. They feed through a variety of modes including as microbivores, predators, and parasites of plants or animals. Parasitic nematodes like Ascaris, dog heartworm, and others can infect humans and other animals.