Etymology- From the Latin Rota a wheel, and Ferre to bear or carry.

Characteristics of Rotifera:

1. Bilaterally symmetrical.
2. Body has more than two cell layers, tissues and organs.
3. Body cavity is a pseudocoelom.
4. Body possesses a through gut with an anus.
5. Body covered in an external layer of chitin called a lorica.
6. Has a nervous system with a brain and paired nerves.
7. Has no circulatory or respiratory organs.
8. Reproduction mostly parthenogenetic, otherwise sexual and gonochoristic.
9. Feed on bacteria, and protista, or are parasitic.
10. All live in aquatic environments either free swimming or attached.

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Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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