How are roundworms classified?

Roundworms, also known as nematodes, belong to the phylum Nematoda. Nematodes are a highly diverse group of invertebrate animals, with over 25,000 described species. They are classified based on various characteristics such as their morphology, life cycle, and genetic traits.

Here is a general classification of roundworms:

1. Class: Enoplea

- Subclass: Dorylaimina

- Order: Dorylaimida (predatory roundworms)

- Subclass: Secernentea

- Order: Aphelenchida (plant-parasitic roundworms)

- Order: Rhabditida (free-living and some parasitic roundworms)

- Order: Strongylida (parasitic roundworms of vertebrates)

- Order: Ascaridida (parasitic roundworms of vertebrates)

- Order: Oxyurida (parasitic roundworms of vertebrates and insects)

- Order: Trichocephalida (parasitic roundworms of vertebrates)

2. Class: Chromadorea

- Subclass: Chromadoria

- Order: Rhabditida

- Order: Strongylida

- Order: Ascaridida

- Order: Oxyurida

- Order: Spirurida (parasitic roundworms of vertebrates and arthropods)

3. Class: Chromadorea

- Subclass: Enoplia

- Order: Dorylaimida

This classification is based on traditional morphological characters, but modern molecular techniques and genetic analyses are also being used to refine and update the classification of roundworms.