ROUNDWORMS
"Roundworms--also known as nematodes--are
all around us: some of them are in our bodies where they may
be causing disease. Others however, are very important ecologically.
They live in the soils where they circulate nutrients, and enrich
the soils with oxygen. Roundworms are terribly diverse. Nobody
knows for sure how many species of roundworms there are on the
face of the earth. One species was recently discovered-- it's
only known for beer mug coasters in Central European bars."
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| DR. NILES ELDREDGE, CURATOR, DEPARTMENT
OF INVERTEBRATES |
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KNOWN SPECIES
25,000; possibly 400,000
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SIZE RANGE
1 millimeter to 8.4 meters
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WHERE THEY LIVE
In soils and in ocean and freshwater sediments;
As disease-causing parasites in plants and animals
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ECOLOGICAL ROLES AND HUMAN USES
Detritus feeders, parasites, disease
causers • Aerate soil and circulate nutrients • Aid in
soil decomposition • Used by humans in biological research,
and to control agricultural and domestic pests
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