Act. 4 - Phylum Nematoda - Instruction Sheet

Nematodes or the unsegmented roundworms are
considered to be the most successful among the worms for

they are able to live in all kinds of habitat from tropical to polar
regions of the earth. They are known to inhabit seawater, fresh
water, and terrestrial environment. Some are free living like
‘vinegar eel’ and ‘beer eel’ while others are parasites of plants
and animals. Terrestrial species can subsists on organic
detritus while others are scavengers, feeding on dead bodies
4
or bacteria and fungi present in the surrounding environment.
In spite of the different kinds of environment they live,

these groups of worms have not changed their shape. Their
bodies are well adapted for living in interstices whether in the
PHYLUM soil or plants and animal bodies. The body is covered by non-
living cuticle. They lack cilia or flagella. Nematodes have a
NEMATODA body peritoneal cavity called pseudocoelom (false coelom)
that lacks lining. They have a complete digestive tract.
Nematodes are mostly dioecious and usually the males are
smaller than the females.
Among the parasitic species of great importance to man

are ascaris, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms, and trichina
worms.
Objectives At the end of the activity, the students should be

able to:
1. identify the representative forms of Nematodes.

2. distinguish between classes of Nematodes.
3. identify the different parts of representative species
of roundworms.
Classification
Phylum Nematoda
Class Aphasmidia (Adenophorea). These are the
nematodes without phasmids (caudal sensory organelle or
sensory chemoreceptors).
Examples: Trichuris (whipworm) and
Trichinella (trichina worm)
Class Phasmidia (Secernantea). These are the nematodes with phasmids
and amphids (anterior sensory organelle).
Examples: Ascaris (intestinal roundworm), Enterobius (pinworm/
seatworm), Ancylostoma (hookworm)
Materials
Specimen images of: Ancylostoma, Enterobius, Trichiuris and Trichinella
Procedure
Label the photographs in the Activity Sheet.
1. Ascaris lumbricoides (human ascaris). This is the most common parasite of man
inhabiting the lumen of the small intestine. The body is fully covered by a smooth
but tough cuticle with fine striations. The anterior end bears the mouth, which is
surrounded by 3 lips (1 dorsal and 2 ventrolateral lips). Running throughout its
entire length in the left and right sides of the body are the broader lateral lines
whereas the dorsal and ventral sides have a narrow white line. Sexes are
separate. Males are generally smaller than females and its posterior end is
spirally coiled. Near the posterior end is the cloacal opening which is guarded
by 2 chitinous rods called pineal spicules (not visible with the naked eye).
Females are provided by a vulva or genital pore located ventrally about 1/3 its
length from the anterior end. In both sexes, the excretory pore is located about
an inch or so below the mouth.
2. Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworms). Adult also stays and attaches to the

mucosal walls of the small intestine by means of a buccal funnel with ventral
teeth or cutting plates which the parasites use in feeding by sucking blood from
its host. The smaller male has on its posterior end a bursa, a flaring
membranous organ supported with rays which is use during copulation. The
female is generally larger and its posterior end is pointed.
3. Enterobius vermicularis (pinworms/ seatworms/ threadworms). These are small

worms infecting the cecum and lower ileum. Adults are easily distinguished by
the presence of cuticular expansions called cephalic alae at the anterior end of
the body. During nighttime, the gravid female migrates to the anus to oviposit
(lay) eggs, which become infective within 5 hours. Males are seldom seen.
Since the skin of the anus is very sensitive, the movement of the worms causes
itchiness in the anal area thereby resulting to scratching.
4. Trichuris trichiura (whipworm). This parasite has the appearance of a whip,

hence, its common name. The anterior portion is more slender than its posterior
end. The mouth is anteriorly located and followed by the esophagus which
appears as strings of beads. Besides the smaller size, males are also
differentiated from females by their spirally coiled posterior end and the presence
of a spicule enclosed in a retractile cuticular sheath. This is used during
copulation serving as a guide in the transfer of sperm cells into the genital pores
of the female.
5. Trichinella spiralis (trichina worms). Infection of this parasite is by ingestion of

raw or half cooked meat specially pork (for human infection) containing encysted
larvae embedded in the muscle. The larvae appear as small spirally coiled
worms in the striated muscle. Adult trichina worms that infect the small intestines
are hardly seen. The larvae are far more dangerous than the adults.
References:
Barnes, R.D. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology 4th edition. Saunders College/Holt,

Rinehart and Winston
Engemann, J.G. and R.W. Hegner. 1981. Invertebrate Zoology 3rd edition.
MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc.
Hickman, C.P., F.M. Hickman and L. Kats. 1997. Laboratory Studies in Integrated
Principles of Zoology. 9th edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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Nematodes or the unsegmented roundworms are

considered to be the most successful among the worms for

In spite of the different kinds of environment they live,

Among the parasitic species of great importance to man

Objectives At the end of the activity, the students should be

1. identify the representative forms of Nematodes.

Specimen images of: Ancylostoma, Enterobius, Trichiuris and Trichinella

Label the photographs in the Activity Sheet.

2. Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworms). Adult also stays and attaches to the

3. Enterobius vermicularis (pinworms/ seatworms/ threadworms). These are small

4. Trichuris trichiura (whipworm). This parasite has the appearance of a whip,

5. Trichinella spiralis (trichina worms). Infection of this parasite is by ingestion of

Barnes, R.D. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology 4th edition. Saunders College/Holt,

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