Bdelloid rotifer

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Classification

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Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Rotifera

Superclass: Eurotaria


Class

Bdelloid morphology.jpg

Bdelloidea are a class of rotifers. There are over 450 species of bdelloid rotifers distinguished by their morphology. This includes species such as Adineta ricciae, Rotaria rotatoria, and Philodina acuticornis. Bdelloidea's species concept is based on molecular and morphological data due to their asexual nature.

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Description and Significance

Appearance:
Bdelloid rotifers are microscopic worm-like organisms that are usually between 150 to 750 µm long. Their bodies are made up of three main regions: head, trunk, and foot. Bdelloids have a well developed corona that is divided into two parts on a retractable head. Bdelloid rotifers can only be identified by eye while they are alive in order to see how they feed and crawl, which are their defining characteristics for classification. Through a weak hand lens, bdelloid rotifers appear as tiny white dots.

Habitat:
Bdelloidea can be found in fresh and brackish water all over the world. They can also be found in moss, lichen, and soil while also being able to survive dry, harsh environments through desiccation-induced dormancy, also known as anhydrobiosis. Bdelloid rotifers are considered to be cosmopolitan.

Significance:
Bdelloid rotifers are the oldest and most diverse asexuals to be discovered, surviving for over 80 millions years. Besides reproducing asexually, bdelloid rotifers are all female therefore reproducing through parthenogenesis. Bdelloidea defy biologist's ideas surrounding the centrality of sex by creating genetic diversity asexually. Daughter bdelloids inherit both copies of each gene from their mother, but these genes never intermix. This allows the genes to remain distinct and evolve to take on new roles regardless of their partner gene's destiny.

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?


Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.


Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Author

Page authored by Larynn Hall, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at IndianaUniversity.