| Members of the Phylum Nematoda, mermithids are long, slender worms that spend part of their life as parasites of invertebrates, usually insects or gastropods. A distinctive feature of this family is a nonfunctional intestinal tract that develops into a trophosome (storage structure). Nutrients are obtained through the worm's cuticle from the hemolymph of their host. | |
Mermithid Life Cycle |
Figure 1. A mermithid coiled in the abdomen of an infected black fly. |
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Preinfective Larva similar to Mesomermis flumenalis. |
Click to enlarge image. |
Isomermis |
Developing Eggs from a undescribed species of Isomermis . |
Gastromermis |
Preinfective larva similar to Gastromermis viridis. |
