Animal Phyla/Gnathostomulida
Gnathostomulida Name Meaning: Jaw orifice English Common Name: Jaw worms Major distinguishing characteristics: Approximate number of species described: about 300
Natural History
[edit | edit source]Jaw worms are all aquatic and marine. They live in the sand and mud in shallow coastal waters.
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]There are two recognized orders within the Phylum Gnathostomulida.
- Filospermoidea
- Bursovaginoidea
Anatomy
[edit | edit source]The powerfully jawed mouth is just behind the head end and opens into a blind-ending tube. There is no anus. They have no circulatory or respiratory system.
They are hermaphroditic, with one ovary and two testes.
The Fossil Record
[edit | edit source]There is no known fossil record.
Quiz
[edit | edit source]References and Further Reading
[edit | edit source]- [Gnathostumulida] at Wikipedia
- Gnathostumulida at Tree of Life
- Gnathostumulida at Encyclopedia of Life