Article
Article
Rhabdocoela
Article By:
Tyler, Seth Department of Zoology, University of Maine, Orono, Maine.
Last reviewed:August 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.900165
One of the larger taxa of turbellarian platyhelminth worms. Like other turbellarians, members of the Rhabdocoela (rhabdocoels) are typically cylindrical, short-bodied worms that are somewhat seed-shaped. Larger-bodied ones may be flat, whereas others are rather threadlike. However, they are all quite small, most measuring about 1 mm (0.04 in.) in length, with others ranging up to 1 cm (0.4 in.). Rhabdocoels have a ciliated epidermis by which they swim or glide, and they reproduce sexually with hermaphroditic reproductive systems. Most rhabdocoels are aquatic, living in either fresh or marine waters; a few have adapted to humid terrestrial habitats. Most are predators of other small animals, but this group of turbellarians has several taxa that are parasites or commensals of other animals. See also: Platyhelminthes; Turbellaria
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