Nematodes and Nematomorpha

Nematodes, unlike most parasites, are very general and all in all similar. If you've seen one of them, you've basically seen all. Otherwise known as roundworms, these parasites are cylindrical worms that have a tough outer layer called the cuticle to protect it. These worms are either parasitic or free living, although both are just as harmful. They take the nutrients from the animal it lives in or from the plant it lives on, and in some cases, killing the plant. An unusual strain is Strongyloides stercoralis, which has both a free-living cycle and a parasitic cycle. In each generation there are both free-living worms and parasitic ones, some of whom infest in human. Free-living branches can live basically anywhere, some feeding off dead animals or plants. These animals all have a cylindrical body, a tampered tail, and a blunt head. Basically, a very generic parasite.

Nematomorpha, like nematodes, are also general in species. Even though there are only about 320 species, they are all very much alike. Otherwise known as "horsehair worms", these parasites will penetrate the outer skin of its host, and mature there. Later in life, while close to a site with water, it will escape from the host and will go through the cycle again and again. Nematomorpha are virtually identical to nematodes, living in the same environment and having the same morphology. That is why most people are confused about the differences between them. Nematomorpha and nematodes are very much alike, so it's very difficult to tell them apart.


				*The Parasites* *Nematodes and Nematomorpha*



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		Nematodes, unlike most parasites, are very general and all in all similar. If you've seen one of them, you've basically seen all. Otherwise known as roundworms, these parasites are cylindrical worms that have a tough outer layer called the cuticle to protect it. These worms are either parasitic or free living, although both are just as harmful. They take the nutrients from the animal it lives in or from the plant it lives on, and in some cases, killing the plant. An unusual strain is Strongyloides stercoralis, which has both a free-living cycle and a parasitic cycle. In each generation there are both free-living worms and parasitic ones, some of whom infest in human. Free-living branches can live basically anywhere, some feeding off dead animals or plants. These animals all have a cylindrical body, a tampered tail, and a blunt head. Basically, a very generic parasite. Nematomorpha, like nematodes, are also general in species. Even though there are only about 320 species, they are all very much alike. Otherwise known as "horsehair worms", these parasites will penetrate the outer skin of its host, and mature there. Later in life, while close to a site with water, it will escape from the host and will go through the cycle again and again. Nematomorpha are virtually identical to nematodes, living in the same environment and having the same morphology. That is why most people are confused about the differences between them. Nematomorpha and nematodes are very much alike, so it's very difficult to tell them apart.



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