Revised 07/03/08
Length: Generally long nematodes, mostly >4mm, except for Aporcelaimellus spp. which are 1-4 mm long.
Cuticle: thick with a thin outer layer.
Lip region: distinctly set off and lips usually not amalgamated but separated from each other. Oral aperture usually a dorso-ventral slit.
Spear: Ranges from axial in Aporcelaimus to a mural tooth in Sectonema.
Esophagus: Basal enlarged part has glands with irregular tubules. Basal esophagus surrounded by a thin epithelial sheath. Flattened disc-shape between esophagus and intestine.
Excretory System: Paired lateral lines of pores along length, irregularly spaced.
Female Gonad: Diovarial, amphidelphic.
Predatory on oligochaetes.
Source: Heyns (1965)
Heyns, J. 1965. On the morphology and taxonomy of the Aporcelaimidae, a new family of dorylaimoid nematodes. Entomology Memoirs 10: Dept. Agric. and Tech Services, Republic of South Africa.
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