Phylum Aschehelminthes

Main Characteristics

• Elongated cylindrical round body
• Body cavity is a pseudocoelom (false body cavity)
• Alimentary canal opens at the two ends, mouth and anus.
• Sexes separate, males smaller than females
• Mostly parasitic in animals but some live freely in the soil.
• Ascarisis a common roundworm, parasitic in the intestine of humans.
• Pinworm and Wucheria (Filariaworm) are some other examples.