They are the most abundant metazoans in the known universe, and quite possibly one of the most species rich. They are important parasites of humans, agricultural crops and livestock, and play a fundamental role in soil and aquatic ecosystem function.
Nematodes occupy an enormous diversity of habitats and associations with other organisms.
At the University of Florida Nematode Evolution Laboratory , we are interested in many aspects of nematode evolution, from the microevolutionary processes that occur within and among populations, to the diverse patterns of morphological and life history traits. To identify and explore evolutionary patterns and processes, we employ a wide variety of analytical tools and discovery operations. The majority of our work is founded in palaetiology, or, the science of reconstructing the past based on the evidence available in the present. 1. body size 2. geographic and ecological range requirements 3. This site currently under construction.