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| Nematomorpha | |
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| Paragordius tricuspidatus | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Phylum: | Nematomorpha Vejdovsky, 1886 |
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Nectonematoida | |
The Nematomorpha (horsehair worms) are a phylum of parasitic cycloneuralian animals. They look similar to nematode worms and live in similar environments, which is why their names are similar. They are sometimes called Gordiacea.
They range in size from 50 to 100 centimetres (20 to 39 in) long and in extreme cases may be up to 2 meters long. They are 1 to 3 millimetres (0.039 to 0.118 in) in diameter. Horsehair worms can be discovered in damp areas such as watering troughs, streams, puddles, and cisterns.
About 326 species are known and an estimate suggests that there may be about 2000 species worldwide.
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