NEMATODES

• They are round worms
• They are a diverse animal
• Belong to the phylum nematoda
• They inhabit a broad range of environments
• There are more than 15,000 known species

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• They contain more than 27 million eggs at once.
• Can lay more than 20,000 eggs a day

BODY STRUCTURE

• Simple structure
• Body is long and narrow in many cases resembling a thread
• The epidermis secreats a thick outer cuticle wich is both tough and flexible
• They shed
• Long muscles are present right under the epidermis.

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• They are arranged longitudinally so the nematode can only bend it's body
• From side to side.
• It can't crawl or lift itself.
• Can be from 6 to 20 inches long

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SURVIVAL

• They can survive
• Extreme heat dry or cold
• And return to "life"
• When desired conditions
• Return

DISEASES

ASCARIASIS

• It has a world wide prevelancy of 25%
• Most prevalent in children from tropical or developing countries
• Infects your GI (gastro intestinal) tract.
• Is acquired through ingestion of embryonated eggs.
• Mortality rate of 5%. The effects may be growth stunting, mental retardation and malnutrition

STRONGYLOIDIASIS

• Is found sporadically in Africa and Papua New Guinea
• Has a mortality rate of 60-85%
• Symptoms are watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping.
• Infection rate of 15%

REPRODUCTION

• They reproduce asexually
• Once fertilized a roundworm
• Can lay 20,000 in a day.