Gastrotricha
E398092
Gastrotricha are a phylum of microscopic, aquatic invertebrates characterized by a ciliated body used for locomotion and a simple, worm-like form found in marine and freshwater environments.
All labels observed (1)
| Label | Occurrences |
|---|---|
| Gastrotricha canonical | 2 |
Statements (51)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
phylum
ⓘ
taxon ⓘ |
| bodyLength | 0.06–3.0 mm ⓘ |
| bodyPlan |
acoelomate or pseudocoelomate
ⓘ
bilaterally symmetrical ⓘ |
| bodyShape | elongated worm-like ⓘ |
| circulatorySystem | absent ⓘ |
| clade | Lophotrochozoa ⓘ |
| commonName |
gastrotrichs
ⓘ
hairybacks ⓘ |
| cuticleFeatures | often with scales or spines ⓘ |
| describedAs | microscopic aquatic invertebrates ⓘ |
| development | direct development without larval stage ⓘ |
| diet |
bacteria
ⓘ
detritus ⓘ microalgae ⓘ protozoa ⓘ |
| digestiveTract | complete with mouth and anus ⓘ |
| distribution | worldwide in suitable aquatic habitats ⓘ |
| ecologicalImportance | important component of meiofauna ⓘ |
| eggType | resting eggs in some species ⓘ |
| estimatedSpeciesCount | about 800 described species ⓘ |
| excretorySystem | protonephridia in many species ⓘ |
| feedingType | microphagous ⓘ |
| firstDescribedBy | Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg ⓘ |
| firstDescribedInYear | 1838 ⓘ |
| gasExchange | across body surface ⓘ |
| habitat |
benthic substrates
ⓘ
freshwater environments ⓘ interstitial spaces between sediment grains ⓘ marine environments ⓘ |
| hasBodyRegion |
head
ⓘ
posterior adhesive region ⓘ trunk ⓘ |
| hasCiliation | ventral ciliated epidermis ⓘ |
| hasCuticle | yes ⓘ |
| hasSensoryStructure |
cilia-based receptors
ⓘ
sensory bristles ⓘ |
| kingdom | Animalia ⓘ |
| lifestyle | free-living ⓘ |
| locomotion | gliding on substrate ⓘ |
| nervousSystem | simple nervous system with cerebral ganglion ⓘ |
| posteriorFeature | adhesive tubes or glands ⓘ |
| reproduction |
parthenogenesis in many freshwater species
ⓘ
sexual reproduction ⓘ |
| researchUse | model for studies of meiofaunal ecology ⓘ |
| respiratorySystem | absent ⓘ |
| sexes | mostly hermaphroditic ⓘ |
| superphylum | Spiralia ⓘ |
| trophicRole | meiobenthos ⓘ |
| usesCiliaFor | locomotion ⓘ |
Referenced by (2)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.