Synonym: Syndermata.
Clades:
Gnathifera;
Spiralia;
Animals.
Habitat: freshwater; few saltwater species.
Region: worldwide.
ZoologyAnimals; microscopic and near-microscopic; pseudocoelomate; ± 0.3 mm long.
Motion: mostly free swimming and truly planktonic, others move by inchworming along the substrate, some are sessile, living inside tubes or gelatinous holdfasts that are attached to a substrate; 25 species are colonial, either sessile or planktonic.
Ecology: freshwater zooplankton, being a major foodsource and with many species also contributing to decompositioning of soil.
ClassesMonogononta
Digononta
Seisonidea