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Eutardigrade

Eutardigrades
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Tardigrada
Class:Eutardigrada
Families
Order Apochaela
    Milnesiidae
Order Parachaela
    Macrobiotidae
    Microhypsibiidae
    Calohypsibiidae
    Hypsibiidae

Eutardigrada are tardigrada without lateral appendices. Primarily freshwater bound, some species have secondarily gained the ability to live in marine environments (Halobiotus). By cryptobiosis many species are able to live in temporily very dry environments.

The order Apochaela consists of only one family, Milnesiidae, with of two genera: Milnesium and Limmenius. Milnesium tardigradum can be found worldwide and is one of the biggest species among tardigrades (up to 1.4 mm). The mouth of this predator has a wide opening, so the animal can eat rotifers and larger protists. The claws are characteristic. Other eutardigrades belong to the order Parachaela.

References http://www.itis.usda.gov
TSN: 155362

External links