Biology and behaviour
A diagram of the nematode worm, Manuema kithara. © Zootaxa
Size
- Manunema kithara is one of the smallest multi-celled animals.
- Fully grown adults are approximately 450µm long (less than half a millimetre) and 25µm wide (thinner than a human hair).
Life cycle
- Female nematodes produce eggs which develop into a larval nematode.
- There are 4 larval stages and nematodes moult their cuticle between each stage to adulthood.
Life expectancy
- The life expectancy of M. kithara is unknown.
- Other nematodes species have been found to live for anything between 3 weeks to 2 years. Most appear to only live for a few months.
Behaviour
- Most nematodes living in marine sediments do not move far.
- Marine nematodes living intertidally may move up and down as the tide rises and falls.
- Some species may move through the sediment in response to chemical signals (for example, decaying food).
- The specific behaviour of Manunema kithara is unknown.
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Reproduction
Learn about the breeding and reproduction processes of nematodes and how they spread into new areas.